How to: Lentil and sweet potato power salad

Usually when you hear the word salad, you think lunch or a light dinner. But that doesn’t have to be the case! This power salad is filling and packs some serious nutrients. It’s a complete meal featuring greens, veggies, carbs, fat and protein. That’s right: a vegan salad with a TON of protein. If you weren’t convinced yet, the dressing for this power salad is a great way to bring leftover veggies back to life, so you might want to make a little extra to have later in the week!

INGREDIENTS

Makes 3 to 4 servings

Dressing 2 tbsp tahini 1 tbsp agave (or honey) 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp olive oil 1/4 tsp salt

Salad 1 cup lentils (cooked according to package directions) 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained) 3 small sweet potatoes 1 pint cherry tomatoes 6 cups mixed greens (we used kale and spinach) 1 bell pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS 1] Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2] Cube the sweet potatoes. 3] Spread the sweet potato cubes and chickpeas on the baking sheet, drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle on the salt. Give the sweet potatoes and chickpeas a quick stir to ensure that they are seasoned, and pop them in the oven. 4] Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft. 5] Measure out and cook the lentils according to the package directions. Once they’re finished cooking, set them aside to cool. 6] Combine all ingredients for the dressing into a small bowl and whisk thoroughly. The dressing will have a thick consistency, great if you want more of a sauce. If you prefer a thinner dressing (which we recommend), whisk in 1 tsp of water at a time, repeating until you reach your desired consistency. 7] Dice the bell pepper and halve the tomatoes. 8] Wash the greens and remove any stems. Chop or tear the greens into smaller, bite-sized pieces and layer them in the bottom of a bowl. 9] Top the mixed greens with the veggies, lentils and chickpeas, drizzle on your dressing and EAT UP! ABOUT CHAARG We believe that working out can (and should!) be fun. We’re an organization of 2,500+ girls at more than 24 universities that encourages college-aged girls to find their fit, whether it’s yoga, CrossFit or anything in between. You don’t need to be a marathon runner or a weightlifting champion to join—it’s all about finding what works for you. That’s the beauty of CHAARG. We’re a group of real girls with a passion for leading happy, healthy lives. Sound like you? Learn more about us, check out CHAARG.com and find us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. ABOUT TERESA Teresa Sandoval is CHAARG’s Creative Project Lead. She dedicates her free time to any and all activities that let her get outside. When she isn’t taking her dog for a run or spending time in the sunshine, she can be found getting messy and creative in the kitchen.