Light Coastal Quinoa Bowl (Printable View)

Fluffy quinoa paired with roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing for a fresh meal.

# 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, 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 (220°C).
02 - On a large baking sheet, toss sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Spread in a single layer.
03 - Roast sweet potatoes for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - Combine quinoa, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. 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 hands for 1–2 minutes until leaves are bright green and tender.
06 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, water, garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with extra water as needed.
07 - Divide quinoa among bowls. Top with massaged kale and roasted sweet potatoes. Drizzle generously with lemon-tahini dressing.
08 - Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, parsley, and lemon wedges before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Light and nourishing with fresh coastal flavors
  • Vegetarian and gluten-free for healthy eating
02 -
  • For added protein, top with grilled shrimp or chickpeas
  • Substitute baby spinach or arugula for kale if preferred
03 -
  • Massage kale thoroughly to soften leaves and improve flavor
  • Adjust dressing water to reach desired consistency especially for drizzling
Go Back