Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale & Pesto Vinaigrette
A vibrant Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale & Pesto Vinaigrette packed with nutrients and flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Cooling Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal
oven
Medium saucepan
blender
large serving bowl
Baking Sheet
Salad
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced about ¾ pound total
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1.75 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups curly kale, stemmed and finely chopped
- 0.5 cup sunflower seeds, roasted and salted *
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
Pesto dressing
- 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves, firmly packed
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley leaves, firmly packed
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 0.25 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Transfer the sweet potatoes to the prepared 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.
Combine the rinsed quinoa and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease 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.
To make the vinaigrette, combine all dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until mostly smooth, with small pieces of herbs still visible.
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.
Add the sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, sunflower seeds and sliced basil to the bowl. Drizzle with about ⅓ cup dressing and gently toss until evenly coated. Taste and mix in more dressing if desired.
Serve the salad at room temperature or cold. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
Keyword healthy salad, Kale Salad, Pesto Vinaigrette, Quinoa Salad, Roasted Sweet Potato, vegan recipe