Lentil, Mushroom, and Kale Burrito
Would you ever think to turn a mixture of lentils, mushrooms, and kale into a filling for burritos?
I certainly wouldn’t. But I’m glad the talented Camilla Saulsbury did for her cookbook, 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness
And I’m happy I found the recipe and tried it for this week’s 38 Power Foods Blogging Group. (For nine weeks now, a group of bloggers, led by Mireya of My Healthy Eating Habits, has been posting recipes using the healthy ingredients from Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients,
Because of this group, I’m trying all kinds of recipes I probably wouldn’t otherwise, with surprising results: I never would have guessed in a million years that my midwestern born and raised meat and potatoes loving husband would have enjoyed these lentil, mushroom and kale burritos so much he would opt to eat them two nights in a row! But he did. Really.
So, what is this week’s power food? Mushrooms.
Lentils, Mushrooms and Kale
Did you know that mushrooms, considered among the most medicinal of all the earth’s natural substances, have been used to fight cancer and boost immunity in China and Japan for centuries?
They’re low in fat and a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin D, potassium, and B vitamins, including B12, which is good news for vegetarians. And it turns all mushrooms – wild, cultivated, Asian, fresh, and/or dried – have their respective strenghts. So be sure to eat a wide variety for the most benefits.
A lentil, mushroom, and kale burrito in progress
This lentil mushroom and kale burritos recipe was really quick and easy, especially if you use already cooked lentils. And surprisingly delicious. The recipe calls for canned lentils, but I used Trader Joe’s steamed lentils, which I love. And as Camilla explains, be sure to remove the virtually inedible stems and tough center ribs of the kale, before slicing it.
Enjoy!
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large bunch of curly kale, tough stems and ribs removed, thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1-1/2 cups drained canned lentils (Or other cooked lentils. I use Trader Joe’s steamed lentils)
- ¾ cup salsa
- 4 whole wheat tortillas (10-inch), warmed
- ½ cup crumbled soft goat cheese
- In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the kale, mushrooms, and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is wilted and mushrooms are browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add the lentils and salsa and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Spoon the lentil mixture down the middle of each warmed tortilla, leaving a 2-inch border on each side. Sprinkle evenly with the crumbled goat cheese.
- Roll up like burritos
For more great delicious mushroom recipes, check out the blogs of these talented food-blogging ladies who are participating in the 38 Power Foods
Alyce More Time at the Table, Ansh - Spice Roots, Jeanette - Jeanette’s Healthy Living, Jill - Saucy Cooks, Mireya - My Healthy Eating Habits, Sarah - Everything in the Kitchen Sink, Casey - Bookcase Foodie, Bambi - Adobo Down Under
Links to more Weight Watchers Friendly Mushroom Recipes
- Lightened Up Slow Cooker Beef and Mushrooms
- Slim & Saucy Chicken Marsala
- Mushroom Risotto (Weight Watchers)
- Skinny Spinach and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms (SkinnyTaste)
Sources:
Health Benefits of Mushrooms (WebMD)
Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients
I love those Trader Joe’s lentils, too. This recipe is going on my list to try when my vegetarian kids come to visit in a few weeks. Great idea! I’ve pinned.
Oh Yumm! This is my favorite way to eat mushrooms, nestled into a roti like burrito and I chomp away. Loved the way you combined them with lentils. I hadn’t even thought of it.
Oh Martha,
This looks sooo good! I know my husband would like them too. This is a great powerhouse recipe!
By the way Martha you should post your recipes on the Pinterest site for 38 Power Foods – Blog Group.
Thanks, Mireya and also for the reminder about the Pinterest Group!
Beautiful healthy meal. You could have used it for two posts!
Thanks Lydia. I hope your vegetarian kids enjoy them as much as we did!
Thanks, Ansh. I probably wouldn’t have thought of the combination on my own either. That’s why I’m such a huge cookbook fan
Thanks, Alyce. I first noticed it when looking for “kale” ideas so it really could be used for two power foods posts…
Thanks for the great recipe! I just made these Lentil, Mushroom Kale Burritos tonight and they were delicious. I ended up changing things around a little though!
I was using Ezekiel’s Sprouted Grain Tortillas and noticed after heating them up, they remain firm and don’t fold well, so I wound up with an open-face tostada-like plate as opposed to the more customary wrapped burrito.
And, I didn’t have any salsa so I used pico de gallo (both in the pan and as a topping) and then I topped them with sliced avocado.
Lastly, I never knew about Trader Joe’s Steamed Lentils but now I do and thank you so much for that
Thanks again for the healthy recipe. It’s so much easier for me to come to this site and look for something good rather than blindly search the web. I know your recipes will always turn out amazing with great flavors.
Thanks for your kind words! So glad you liked the lentil, mushroom, kale burritos. Love the idea of turning the recipe into an open-faced tostada! Those Trader Joe’s steamed lentils really are such a wonderful easy, healthy and delicious find. I was given my first package by a friend who was cleaning out her fridge and am eternally grateful, so am delighted to pay it forward