Harvest Kale Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Nourishing autumn bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, pecans, and creamy lemon tahini.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables & Grains

01 - 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
02 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
03 - 4 cups kale, stems removed, chopped

→ Nuts & Fruit

04 - 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries

→ Cheese

06 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

→ Lemon Tahini Dressing

07 - 1/4 cup tahini
08 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water for thinning
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Pantry

14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil for roasting
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss diced sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage gently for 1 to 2 minutes until leaves are soft and darkened.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Add more water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
06 - Divide quinoa among 4 bowls. Top with massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese. Drizzle generously with lemon tahini dressing.
07 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate the components separately and assemble just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Simple, easy-to-follow steps perfect for a 45-minute meal.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs.
  • A perfect balance of textures: crunchy pecans, creamy blue cheese, and tender roasted vegetables.
  • Highly nutritious, providing 12g of protein and 440 calories per serving.
02 -
  • Use a whisk for the dressing to ensure the tahini emulsifies perfectly with the lemon juice and oil.
  • If you don't have pecans, walnuts or almonds make an excellent crunchy substitute.
  • For a nut-free version, replace the pecans with pumpkin seeds for a similar texture.
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