Roasted sweet potatoes topped with creamy garlic sauce, crispy lentils, and fresh toppings of your choice. Serve on its own or as a side dish.
Plant-Based Proteins
There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about including more plant-based proteins in our diets. Have you ever wondered what that would look like for you? Or why it is a hot topic at the moment? Plant-based proteins include foods such as beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu. Here are some benefits to eating more of these foods in your regular diet.
- High in fibre. This is beneficial for digestive health and management of some chronic diseases such as high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes
- Low in saturated fat. A diet lower in saturated fats is beneficial for heart health
- Low in cost. This is helpful for reducing your grocery bill – which we could all use right now!
Eating a variety of foods, plant-based or not, will help you to get all the nutrients you need to support your health. Review your regular intake and the benefits above to decide if adding in more sources of plant-based proteins makes sense for you.
Tips for Adding in Plant-Based Proteins
Not sure where to start? Try the recipe provided or one of the ideas below!
- Add chickpeas, lentils, or black beans to soups and salads – roast them with seasoning if using on salads to add some crunch
- Use nut butter on toast, in oatmeal, or in smoothies
- Add firm tofu to your stir fry or grain bowl
- Add brown lentils to your pasta sauce – option: replace half the meat with lentils to cut back on costs and saturated fat intake
- Snack on edamame or nuts – combine with fruit or popcorn to make a filling and nutritious snack
- Eat veggie sticks with hummus
This recipe uses lentils but you could substitute chickpeas or any legume of your choice!
Learn how balanced recipes like this can help prevent and manage chronic diseases by booking a free discovery call with one of our dietitians.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Rinse and scrub potatoes and cut in half length wise. Rub the sweet potatoes with a bit of olive oil and place face down on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes or until fork tender.
In a medium bowl, toss rinsed and drained lentils with olive oil and spices and place on a lined baking sheet. You can use the same baking sheet or another one depending on size. Roast for ~20 minutes or until browned.
While the sweet potatoes and lentils are roasting, prepare your sauce. Add all garlic herb sauce ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, only adding enough water or almond milk to thin so it’s pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Prepare desired toppings
To serve, flip potatoes flesh-side up and smash down the insides a little bit. Top with lentils, garlic herb sauce, and other toppings of your choice. Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Rinse and scrub potatoes and cut in half length wise. Rub the sweet potatoes with a bit of olive oil and place face down on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes or until fork tender.
In a medium bowl, toss rinsed and drained lentils with olive oil and spices and place on a lined baking sheet. You can use the same baking sheet or another one depending on size. Roast for ~20 minutes or until browned.
While the sweet potatoes and lentils are roasting, prepare your sauce. Add all garlic herb sauce ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, only adding enough water or almond milk to thin so it’s pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Prepare desired toppings
To serve, flip potatoes flesh-side up and smash down the insides a little bit. Top with lentils, garlic herb sauce, and other toppings of your choice. Serve and enjoy!
