Harvest Kale Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Nourishing bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, pecans, cranberries, and tangy 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
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Pantry

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with a small amount of 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 or honey, minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Add additional water as needed for desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
06 - Divide cooked quinoa among 4 bowls. Top each with massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes, pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle generously with lemon tahini dressing.
07 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate components separately and assemble just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners just got a lot more interesting.
  • The lemon tahini dressing is so addictive you might find yourself making extra just to drizzle on everything.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble when hunger strikes, making it perfect for meal planning.
02 -
  • Don't skip massaging the kale; it transforms from an afterthought into something genuinely enjoyable, and the oil helps it absorb the dressing rather than just sliding off.
  • The dressing thickens slightly as it sits, so if you're making it ahead, keep extra water handy to loosen it up again right before serving.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans lightly in a dry skillet before chopping them; the extra minute makes their flavor deeper and more memorable.
  • If your tahini dressing tastes bitter, you likely need more lemon juice and maple syrup to balance it; taste as you go.
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