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Roasted Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

Delicious Roasted Sweet Potato Kale and Quinoa Salad with a vibrant pesto vinaigrette that impresses and nourishes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
Quinoa
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 1.75 cups vegetable broth
Kale & Seeds
  • 2 cups curly kale stemmed and finely chopped
  • 0.5 cups sunflower seeds roasted and salted
Pesto Vinaigrette
  • 0.33 cup fresh basil thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves firmly packed
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley leaves firmly packed
  • 0.5 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove garlic roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • pepper to taste

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Blender or Food Processor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Transfer sweet potatoes to the baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then toss and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until tender and browning. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
  4. To make the vinaigrette, combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until mostly smooth.
Assembly
  1. Transfer the chopped kale to a large serving bowl, sprinkle with a dash of salt, and massage the kale until it is darker in color and more fragrant, about 15 seconds.
  2. Add the sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, sunflower seeds, and sliced basil to the bowl. Drizzle with about ⅓ cup dressing and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and mix in more dressing if desired.
  3. Serve the salad at room temperature or cold. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 200mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 18000IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to swap the quinoa for farro or bulgur, or add proteins like chickpeas or grilled chicken. For a creamier texture, consider using tahini in the dressing.

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