Recipe

Black Lentils with Spinach, Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar

Name: Black Lentils with Spinach, Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: For the Lentils; 1 cup black lentils (Beluga lentils); 3 cups water or vegetable broth; 1 small onion (finely diced (optional)); 1 bay leaf (optional); ½ teaspoon salt; For the Spinach & Dressing; 3 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup cooked spinach); 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 –2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (adjust to taste); 1 garlic clove (minced); Salt & pepper to taste; Optional Add-Ins; Cherry tomatoes (halved); Crumbled feta or goat cheese; Toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds; Fresh herbs like parsley or basil

Zack_

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Some dishes feel quietly elegant, simple, balanced, and deeply satisfying without asking for attention. Black Lentils with Spinach, Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar is one of those dishes. It’s the kind of meal that looks beautiful on the plate, tastes thoughtful, and leaves you feeling nourished rather than weighed down.

Black lentils, often called beluga lentils, have long been appreciated for their rich color, firm texture, and earthy flavor. They hold their shape beautifully when cooked, making them ideal for warm salads and simple bowls. Paired with fresh spinach, they create a dish that feels vibrant and alive — dark, glossy lentils contrasted with tender green leaves, all brought together with a drizzle of good olive oil.

The olive oil adds richness and depth, while balsamic vinegar brings brightness and balance. That gentle tang lifts the dish, cutting through the earthiness and making every bite feel fresh. It’s a reminder that sometimes all food needs are contrasting richness and acidity, warmth and freshness to feel complete.

This dish fits naturally into the Let’s Veg philosophy because it celebrates vegetables and plant-based ingredients without trying to imitate anything else. There’s no pretending, no disguising just honest food prepared simply and thoughtfully. It works as a main, a side, or a base you can build on with roasted vegetables, herbs, seeds, or a spoonful of hummus. It’s flexible, elegant, and incredibly practical.

Emotionally, this is the kind of dish people turn to when they want something calm and centered. It’s food that feels intentional perfect for quiet lunches, light dinners, or moments when you want to eat well without overthinking it. It proves that healthy eating can be graceful, satisfying, and deeply enjoyable.

And if you’re ready to toss warm lentils with spinach and let olive oil and balsamic do their quiet magic, feel free to skip the story and head straight to the recipe below. Your simple, nourishing bowl awaits.

Zack