Light Coastal Quinoa Bowl (Print View)

Fluffy quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, and kale with a zesty lemon-tahini drizzle for a nourishing, fresh bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
05 - 1 large bunch kale, stems removed, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons tahini
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
14 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnishes

16 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
18 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss the sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper on a large baking sheet. Spread in a single layer.
03 - Roast sweet potatoes for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, 2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes until leaves become bright green and tender.
06 - Whisk tahini, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, water, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional water as needed.
07 - Divide quinoa among bowls. Top with massaged kale and roasted sweet potatoes. Drizzle generously with lemon-tahini dressing.
08 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped parsley over the bowls. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • Fluffy quinoa base with caramelized roasted sweet potatoes
  • Zesty lemon-tahini dressing enhances bright coastal flavors
02 -
  • Contains sesame from tahini and seeds from pumpkin seeds
  • Gluten-free and dairy-free suitable for many diets
03 -
  • Massage kale well to soften leaves and reduce bitterness
  • Adjust dressing consistency with water to your liking
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