Kale Harvest Grain Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Vibrant grain bowl with massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, apple, pomegranate, and pepitas in tangy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains & Greens

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 large bunch kale, about 6 cups, stems removed, leaves finely chopped

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fresh Toppings

07 - 1 medium apple, cored and diced
08 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
09 - 1/4 cup pepitas

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
02 - While potatoes roast, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a small splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then massage kale with your hands for 1-2 minutes until softened and dark green in color.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
05 - Divide massaged kale among four bowls. Top each with equal portions of cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, diced apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas.
06 - Drizzle each bowl with dressing just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's honestly nourishing: No guilt, just whole grains, leafy greens, and roasted vegetables that actually make you feel energized.
  • Everything comes together in one pan (mostly): Once you get the rhythm going, you're barely multitasking.
  • It tastes even better the next day: The flavors settle into each other and the kale gets even more tender.
02 -
  • Don't skip the kale massage: Massaging tenderizes it and makes it infinitely more pleasant to eat than raw kale that wants to fight back in your mouth.
  • Always add dressing at the last second: I learned this the hard way when I assembled a beautiful bowl the night before and it turned into a sad, soggy situation by morning.
03 -
  • Roast your sweet potatoes in smaller pieces than you think: Half-inch cubes cook faster and caramelize better than larger chunks.
  • Keep the dressing slightly thinner than you'd expect: It will cling to the bowl and vegetables better, and you can always drizzle more if needed.
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