Chewy skillet popped lentils meet apples, bell peppers & butternut squash in this gluten free, low calorie dish. These Harvest Skillet Lentils make a simple & healthy meal for any day of the week!
Things were busy around here this weekend. Mom left me this weekend for good. It was a good thing I was busy otherwise things would have been really sad. 🙁 I know I said she left last weekend, but she ended up at the very last millisecond changing her flight and staying. I've lost count, but I think she changed her flight 3 or 4 times these last weeks.
I was feeling very sick the day before she was supposed to leave and she didn't feel comfortable leaving me alone. So I went to bed and the next morning she was still there. Surprise! It was nice having her here for my birthday. It's been a long time since we've been in the same state for both our birthdays and in the same year.
Speaking of birthday, there's something I wanted to share with you today. Last week when I went to the gym on my birthday, one of the ladies who I see there regularly knew it was my birthday and asked me "why are you working out? it's your birthday!" Her question caught me off guard. I never thought of my birthday as being an excuse not to workout.
In fact, after what I've been through these last months, I feel quite the opposite. I explained to her that being active is a gift. If there were any day of the year I would show up for a workout, it would be my birthday because it reminds me how far I've come and how thankful I am for the health that I do have.
Your health can be gone in a split second and in that split second, your entire life will change. The next time you want to skip a workout, I want you to remember a workout isn't a punishment. It is a blessing. Be thankful for every moment you are given to live life without constraints and never take that for granted.
Now that I've gotten all corny on you, let's talk about this delicious meatless recipe. You guys know I've been obsessed with Skillet Popped Lentils. Actually, I think you may be more intrigued by them based on all your comments after I posted the recipe.
Let me see if I can explain. You know how you put kernels in a skillet and they pop to make popcorn? Skillet popped lentils are the same concept. The difference is the lentils don't pop into big white puffs. They plump into a crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside little nut.
So I took those little nuts to whole other level by adding butternut squash, apples, bell peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of apple cider vinegar. What you get is a warm and hearty meal that resembles fall. Now go exercise some good health!
Harvest Skillet Lentils
Ingredients
- 1 cup skillet popped lentils
- 3 cups butternut squash cubed
- 1 apple cored, peeled & diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/8 cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook lentils according to Skillet Popped Lentils instructions.
- Heat a skillet to medium high heat and add extra virgin olive oil. Add butternut squash and cook 10 minutes stirring frequently.
- Once squash has browned a bit, add diced apples and peppers with spices and orange zest. Cook until veggies are tender about 7-8 minutes.
- Once veggies are tender, add apple cider vinegar and lentils to the skillet. Toss to combine and cook 2-3 minutes more.
- Add chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
For some reason, all of this week's posts just showed up in my bloglovin feed. So weird! Looking forward to trying is recipe!
Yeah, sorry about that. An old domain expired last week and it messed up my feed. Bloglovin says it is corrected now. Hope you love the recipe!
hahah, that's such a weird comment to get about not working out on your birthday! Happy birthday by the way!
These lentils look awesome. Also, I want that bowl/plate. Where did you get it from?
Thanks! The plate is from CB2.
I totally agree that your birthday doesn't mean an excuse not to workout. If anything it's more of a reason to workout to stay healthy as we get older. Happy birthday too!
Glad you agree. Thanks Sheena!
I'm all about these bright colors and flavors. Lentils and butternut squash - Nom Nom Nom. Hope you are enjoying your first days at home. And your thoughts on exercise are so honest and true. I really love workouts in my birthday. My workouts center me and it's my happy place. Thanks for the reminder though!
I'm able to think best after a good workout. 🙂
I LOVE lentils! What a great recipe! Thanks for the recipe.:)
Sure! Hope you give it a try sometime.
Wow, this looks so delicious!
Thanks Christen!
O I love the sweet pops of flavor you added!
I like to keep things fun, yet simple!
This recipe looks lovely - while I can't do legumes without Beano, my mom is a lentil fantatic so I just sent it over to her! Also - I agree with you re: birthday workout comment. Every year since I was 18, I've made my birthday about self-care, and that always includes an enjoyable workout. My fce: 45 mins on the elliptical with Shape magazine & spotify. Happy Belated!!!
I feel you on the Beano. I used to be that way with legumes, but over time my body has adjusted to them. It was actually other foods that were causing the discomfort.
Lots f lentils going on today! They just scream cold weather! This sounds great! Butternut squash and apple together, oh so good!
Lentils are quite popular today, but it's nice change from pumpkin.
I haven't tried popped lentils yet but they look fabulous. Love this combo thanks for linking up with us today for Meatless Monday
You really need to try them Deborah!
Your mom is the sweetest! So nice that she got to be there with you for your birthday!
I know, I don't know what I'd do without her!
Definitely a blessing! While I might try to avoid a 20 miler, an easy run and yoga would be perfect 🙂
Agreed! No 20 miler on your birthday. You want to be able to walk comfortably the rest of the day.