2016: International Year of the Pulses

Every year, the United Nations observes an issue of international interest or concern. (See the list here – very interesting!) It’s an amazing way to help connect and unify the world in a positive way. This year, 2016 was declared “International Year of the Pulses”.

What are Pulses?

Pulses are a subgroup of the legume family which includes dried lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas. (Some of my favorites!) The international year was declared to showcase pulses as a primary source of protein and nutrients. Plus increase awareness of their many benefits including environmental and sustainability, high nutritional value, affordability, and potential to address global food security. Please take a moment to check out this awesome infographic. It’s a quick and easy reference that touches on each benefit!

Vegan Lentil Recipes

Below I’m highlighting one of the amazing pulses (lentils!) with 50 diverse vegan recipes. I encourage you to learn more about pulses through the official Food and Agriculture Organization’s 2016 IYP website. Plus cook more meals with them, or share your knowledge about health and sustainability with family and friends. Let’s continue raising awareness about these wonderful, tiny legumes. Hope you enjoy the recipe inspiration!

Lentil Soup & Chili Recipes

Lentil Spinach Soup (pictured above)

Smoky Tomato Lentil Soup

Red Lentil Sweet Potato Stew

Black Bean Lentil Taco Soup

Lentil Stuffed Pepper Soup

Rustic Lentil & Potato Soup (tastes like veganized beef stew!)

Mexican Red Lentil Stew – Kalyn’s Kitchen

African Peanut Lentil Soup – Vegan Richa

Lentil Chili – Whole Foods Market

Curried Lentil Soup – Cadry’s Kitchen

Lemony Lentil Soup – Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Lentil Chili with Roasted Red Peppers – Kalyn’s Kitchen

Crushed Lentil Soup – Veggie Chick

Middle Eastern Green Lentil Soup – Lands and Flavors

Vegan Lentil Salad Recipes

Black Bean Lentil Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing (pictured above)

5-Minute Lentil Tomato Salad

Easy Lentil Salad with Capers and Balsamic-Dijon Dressing

Lentil Panzanella w/ Herbed Thyme Dijon Dressing – Well and Full

Turkish Lentil Salad – Hurry the Food Up

Lentil and Brussels Sprout Salad – Green Evi

Warm Puy Lentil Salad with Beetroot and Hazelnuts – Rebel Recipes

Lentil Taco Salad – Veggie Primer

Indian-Inspired Lentil Recipes

Vegan Two Lentil Dahl – Blissful Basil

Red Lentil Dal – Forks Over Knives

Vegan Lentil Curry – Simple Vegan Blog

Red Lentil Kofta – Ceara’s Kitchen

Dal Makhani – Elephantastic Vegan

Lentil Tacos, Burgers, Sandwiches

Black Bean Lentil Tacos (picture above)

Lentil Walnut Taco Meat – Oh She Glows

Slow Cooker Lentil Quinoa Taco Filling – Healthy Slow Cooking

Vegan Lentil Burger – Contentedness Cooking

Sloppy Lentil Sandwiches – Veggie Inspired

Vegan Lentil Burger with Basil Mayonnaise – Vegan Heaven

Baked Red Lentil Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce – Cookin’ Canuck

Almond Lentil Patties in Tomato Gravy – Vegan High Tech Mom

Vegan Lentil Pasta & Sides

Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti – Vegan Richa

Sun-Dried Tomato & Lentil Bolognese – The Tofu Diaries

Red Lentil Buffalo Hummus – Blissful Basil

Roasted Red Pepper and Lentil Crackers – Vegan Lovelie

Green Lentil Hummus – Vegetarian Gastronomy

Lentil Burritos, Wraps, & Rolls

Lentil Spinach Burritos (pictured above)

Thai Lentil Lettuce Wraps with Miso Sriracha Peanut Sauce – Vanilla and Bean

Lentil Spring Rolls – Vegan Family Recipes

Vegan Cabbage Rolls – The Minimalist Vegan

Other Savory Lentil Recipes

Vegan Lentil Bolognese

Vegan Lentil Loaf with Roasted Carrots, Onions, and Portobellos – Veganosity

Vegan Walnut-Lentil Chorizo – Blissful Basil

Broccoli with Red Lentil Sauce – Hello Nutritarian

Lentil and Rice Stuffed Portobellos w/ Caramelized Onions – Pumpkin & Peanut Butter

Spiced Tomato Red Lentils – The Viet Vegan

Barbecue Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – Emilie Eats

Lentil and Vegetable Pie – Vegan Sandra