Minted Lentil Veggie Bowl
with Soaked Almonds & Quick Hummus Dressing
Here’s a super easy lunch idea – one that only requires a bit of assembling. Cooked lentils and “activated” almonds (almonds that have been soaked) give this bowl extra protein, along with a simple dressing made with your favorite hummus.
If you are unfamiliar with “activated” or soaked almonds, here is a little run down:
The activation process requires raw almonds to be soaked in cool water for 12 hours. Think of this like sprouting grains or seeds. It converts some of the starches to simpler sugars, and converts some of the protein to fuel for the new growth of emerging seeds.
The brown, rough skin of almonds contains an enzyme inhibitor that is meant to protect the seed. Our bodies cannot breakdown this enzyme-inhibiting compound, making the digestion of almonds often more difficult, and restricting our bodies from absorbing its nutrients. Soaking almonds brings them alive, which makes them easier to digest and more nutritious!
The main reason why I love almonds so much is for their very snappy texture. It really changes them! Give it a try with a handful of raw almonds, just for fun, and see what you think.
There are no limits to the colorful contents you can include in this veggie bowl. It’s such a simple, satisfying and delicious way to eat more raw veggies! I especially suggest sprinkling fresh mint on top, which adds a lovely brightness to the dish, elevating it from ordinary to something special.
Sylvia Fountaine is a former restaurant owner, caterer and
chef living in the Pacific Northwest. She loves sharing
healthy, plant-forward recipes, grounded in the seasons. Her
hope is to be a useful resource to you – to inspire, motivate
and teach you how to create your own simple, healthy
delicious feasts at home. Find this recipe and many more at
FeastingAtHome.com.
Find more fantastic pulse-based recipes from Pacific
Northwest Farmers Co-op at EatRealPNW.com.
For the dressing:
3 Tbl hummus
1-2 Tbl water
1 Tbl oil
lemon juice, to taste
salt, to taste
For the salad:
1 cup greens – spinach, arugula, lettuce
handful cauliflower florets, sliced
handful radishes, sliced
½ avocado, sliced
¾ cup cooked lentils or another bean
handful shredded carrots and/or beets
handful sprouted micro greens (optional)
⅛ cup almonds (try activating them!)
10 fresh mint leaves, torn
salt and pepper, to taste
To activate almonds, soak raw almonds for 12 hours in a bowl of cool water on the counter. Slip the skins off. Almonds will keep up to a week in the fridge, or dehydrate them slowly on low heat for longer storage.
In a small bowl, using a fork, stir the hummus with water, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little lemon if you like.
Begin assembling your veggie bowl with a bed of greens. Layer veggies over the greens. Add the cooked lentils and almonds. Scatter freshly torn mint leaves over top, drizzle with hummus dressing and enjoy!






