Harvest Kale Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, pecans, and cranberries with tangy blue cheese and creamy lemon tahini.

# What you'll 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 for thinning
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Pantry

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

# Method:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns simple ingredients into something that feels like a restaurant treat without the price tag or the wait.
  • Every bite has texture, sweetness, tang, crunch, and richness all at once.
  • You can prep the parts ahead and build bowls all week long.
  • It works whether youre feeding yourself or impressing friends at dinner.
02 -
  • Massaging the kale is not optional, it transforms tough leaves into something tender and delicious.
  • Rinse your quinoa or it will taste bitter and soapy no matter how well you cook it.
  • Dont skip flipping the sweet potatoes halfway through roasting or one side stays pale and soft.
  • Thin the dressing with water gradually because tahini thickens fast and you want it pourable not gluey.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for a minute before adding them to the bowl for deeper flavor.
  • Use a fork to fluff the quinoa instead of stirring it with a spoon so it stays light and airy.
  • If your tahini is thick and hard to stir, warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds before whisking.
  • Taste the dressing before you drizzle and adjust the lemon or sweetness to match your mood.
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