Lentils are a great source of heart-healthy phytosterols!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup chopped fresh kale
- 1 can of sweet corn
- 1 can of chickpeas
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Black pepper
Directions:
- Cook lentils: In a small pot, bring lentils & water to a boil. Then, turn heat to medium & cook until tender (about 10-15 mins). Drain the remaining water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, kale, corn, chickpeas, & olives.
- In a small bowl, mix together mustard, honey, & vinegar.
- Then, mix the dressing into the lentil mixture, top with black pepper, & enjoy!!
Nutrition Resources
Cabral CE, Klein MRST. Phytosterols in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017 Nov;109(5):475-482. doi: 10.5935/abc.20170158. PMID: 29267628; PMCID: PMC5729784.
Ganesan K, Xu B. Polyphenol-Rich Lentils and Their Health Promoting Effects. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 10;18(11):2390. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112390. PMID: 29125587; PMCID: PMC5713359.
Jukanti AK, Gaur PM, Gowda CL, Chibbar RN. Nutritional quality and health benefits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): a review. Br J Nutr. 2012 Aug;108 Suppl 1:S11-26. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512000797. PMID: 22916806.
Šamec D, Urlić B, Salopek-Sondi B. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a superfood: Review of the scientific evidence behind the statement. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(15):2411-2422. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1454400. Epub 2018 Apr 24. PMID: 29557674.
Xie L, Yu Y, Mao J, Liu H, Hu JG, Li T, Guo X, Liu RH. Evaluation of Biosynthesis, Accumulation and Antioxidant Activityof Vitamin E in Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) during Kernel Development. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 20;18(12):2780. doi: 10.3390/ijms18122780. PMID: 29261149; PMCID: PMC5751378.