Wholesome salad featuring kale, quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, and tangy lemon dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
02 - 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped (about 5 cups)
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
→ Grains
06 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
→ Dressing
07 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 - Roast sweet potato for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - While sweet potato roasts, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
04 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Massage the kale for 2–3 minutes until leaves soften and darken.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
06 - Add cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potato, red onion, and parsley to the massaged kale. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine.
07 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds, crumbled feta cheese (if using), and pomegranate seeds over the salad. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
