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Ginger Veggie Pasta Salad

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz red lentil pasta rotini or pasta of choice
  • 1 medium seedless cucumber sliced
  • 2 carrots sliced (or 1 cup matchstick carrots)
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil sliced

Dressing

  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil or oil of your choice
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • 2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp ginger freshly grated
  • 1 large garlic clove freshly grated (approx. 1 tsp)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to instructions. Caution: some bean based pastas cook up quickly to mush. Check them early and adjust to your preferred doneness. Drain in a colander and RINSE with cold water. Rinse it well. Don't skip this part!!! Bean pastas leave a filmy, sticky residue if you don't rinse them.
  • In a medium bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients. Whisk well. Use a microplane to grate your fresh ginger and garlic.
  • Add the pasta, veggies, and basil to your dressing bowl. Mix everything together. Enjoy!

Notes

How-to-Use:
Athletes: It's no secret I think red lentils are one of THE best foods for athletes to eat. Great source of complex carbs, protein, and iron. Basically, they are natures best friend for athletes. I highly appreciate that they are now using red lentils to make pasta. Each serving of this dish provides 25 grams of protein, 65 gm of complex carbohydrates, and 50% of your daily iron needs.
Healthy Eating: There are a gagillion (technical term) pasta options out there now. You are sure to find one that meets your nutrition needs. Spend some time perusing the pasta aisle at the store and see what meets your needs. Also love this recipe because it's 50% high protein pasta & 50% veggies. Just that easy, just that quick to have a balanced meal on the table.
Kids: Fingers crossed the kiddos accept this with loving arms like Annie's Mac-n-Cheese. Know your kids - if things mixed together isn't their jam, separate out the veggies and pasta. Remember, exposure is worth something. Seeing it on their plate is worth something. Licking one piece is worth something.
Other Thoughts:
  • If you have the time to let this sit over night or for a few hours, it's even better! But if you cannot resist, it's still delish right away.
  • Most bean pastas are also gluten free, so this dish as written is gluten free. Remember to use Tamari (similar to soy sauce but gluten free) if you are making this for a gluten free friend or relative.
  • To make this vegan, sub maple syrup for the honey.