Roasted golden beet and lentil salad with strawberries is a delightful vegetarian meal! Super simple, super healthy, and super satisfying!
Behold......... the STRAWBS! They are ruling my world right now you guys. I'm putting them in EVERYTHING, even savory concoctions.
Get used to it friends. Move over, crispy chickpeas on salad, I'M CRAZY OBSESSED WITH STRAWBS!
The same thing happened last year. It's like I forget about these red little sweet bombs until they start to show up in the Spring. Then, I'm just amazed all over again. You saw them in spicy salsa a few weeks ago, now you get them with some beets and lentils!
When is strawberry season? Here's your guide!
Something happened last week that totally blew the lid off of my foodie life. I discovered that I have slightly high blood sugar nearing the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. Apparently, it's nothing to worry about, as long as I cut back a bit on the sugar and carbs.
I guess my daily servings of raisin bran, potato chips, and ice cream have got to go.
So, I've been trying to eat foods that are low on the glycemic index. Foods that won't cause a crazy spike in blood sugar. Foods that won't eventually lead to gestational diabetes. It's definitely a bit tougher than I thought it would be. There are already so many restrictions on foods due to the pregnancy! I just found out that I can't even have radishes due to the high possibility of listeria. OMG guys.
So........ here we are. A salad packed with fiber and protein, and low(ish) in sugar and carbs. Sweet, savory, salty, earthy, tangy, healthy, and totally delicious. SCORE!
Have you tried this golden beet salad with goat cheese yet?
Recipe
Golden beet and lentil salad with strawberries
Ingredients
- 3 medium golden beets
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil divided
- ½ cup dried brown lentils
- 1-2 cups water
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon
- 3 tablespoon crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using your hands, rub the 1 teaspoon olive oil evenly over the beets. Wrap each beet in foil. Roast for 40 minutes, or until fork tender. Remove from heat and open foil packets to let beets cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, rinse lentils and remove any debris or pebbles. Place in a small saucepan and cover with water to about ½" above the lentils. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until lentils are cooked through, but still a bit al dente. You may need to add water to keep the lentils fully submerged while simmering. When fully cooked, strain out the excess water and set aside.
- When the beets have cooled enough to handle, remove from the foil packets and start to rub off the skin.* Slice the beets or cut into bite sized pieces.
- Combine the lentils, beets, strawberries, tarragon, and goat cheese in a large bowl.
- Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the white balsamic vinegar together and whisk to emulsify.** Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Season VERY generously with salt and pepper to taste. This salad can handle a lot of salt!
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
**I like to combine in a small mason jar with tight fitting lid and shake to emulsify.
Alright guys. Any tips for a preggo lady trying to avoid gestational diabetes??? I'd love to hear about your favorite low GI recipes!
Trish
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Elena @ happykitchen.rocks
Oh my, this salad looks gorgeous! Sorry about your food restrictions, it must be tough to face! What other restrictions are there besides seafood and radishes?
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Elena! Well, obvs alcohol. Can't have that. Also, unpasteurized dairy and veggies with a high chance of containing listeria. On this low glycemic index diet, I have to cut out sugar and white flour. I miss scones with coffee! 🙂
Elena @ happykitchen.rocks
Hang in there! I knew about alcohol before but all the other restrictions you mentioned are totally new to me. I suppose you can live with it, but scones with coffee... Yeah, might be hard to resist!
dianeboy
gorgeous!
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you!
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil)
A combo I never would have thought to put together but of course it would be delish. How could you NOT want to make this after seeing these gorgeous photos?!?
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you so much Deanna!
krish recipes
This looks delicious. I just love the colour of the beets
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks!
fitliving eats
Yummy! I love the fresh and vibrant colors of this dish. I've never thought to add lentils as the base to a salad like this one but it looks delicious. Can't wait to try!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks! Let me know how you like it!
recipesfromapantry
Oh gosh, what a great taste of spring and summer in a bowl.
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks! So happy the strawberries arrived early this year. 🙂
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
This is such a delicious combination of flavours!
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you!
ciaoflorentina
Those colors tough ! Gorgeous and i want to dive right in !
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you Florentina!
motherwouldknow
I love golden beets and lentils but never thought about mixing them with strawberries. Genius! As to your gestational diabetes, you should definitely check out Carolyn Ketchum's blog, All Day I Dream About Food. It's a great resource and she began her low carb journey when she got gestational diabetes. But she never lets her medical issues get in the way of taste - or fun. http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/about-me
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you so much Laura! I'll check it out!
Heather
What a great recipe! The contrast in textures has to be amazing. I can't wait to try this.. excellent new use for golden beets!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Heather!
Pie Rivera
I know what you mean, Trish. I go crazy with strawberries too! I love love love them! I hope you continue to eat healthy and have a safe pregnancy and delivery. 🙂
Patricia Bozeman
Awe, thank you so much!
The Purple Ladle
This looks beautiful Trish! comfort food that is healthy too - yum!
Patricia Bozeman
Thank you Jayne!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I love lentils so I am pretty sure I will love this salad! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Sam!
Justine Howell
I've never made lentils myself, will have to try it!
Patricia Bozeman
Oh, you should definitely try lentils! I definitely recommend brown or green, as the red and yellow can get pretty mushy. 🙂
Mica
Great looking salad there. I am pre-diabetic, and have had to cut back considerably on my sugar intake. Love this
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Mica!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch
I have been trying to slowly work my way onto the beet train, and this looks really good! I love all the other flavors with this!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks Kim! I'm still trying to like red beets, but golden beets are so mild!