Kale Harvest Grain Bowl (Printable)

A vibrant bowl with tender kale, quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas in tangy dressing.

# What you 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, pumpkin seeds

→ 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 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or 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.
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 quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, diced apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas.
06 - Drizzle dressing over bowls just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like autumn captured in a bowl, but comes together in less time than you'd spend scrolling through your phone.
  • Every element can be prepped ahead, so busy weeknights suddenly feel manageable and delicious.
  • The dressing hits that perfect balance between bright and warming, making vegetables taste like something you actually crave.
02 -
  • Don't massage your kale with aggressive force or add too much oil; you're softening, not wilting it into submission—the leaves should still taste vibrant and green, not bruised.
  • The dressing really does taste better when whisked together rather than shaken in a jar; the emulsion makes it creamier and the flavors blend rather than staying separate.
03 -
  • If you have the time, toast your pepitas in a dry skillet for two or three minutes to deepen their flavor and add extra crunch that raw seeds can't quite match.
  • The dressing becomes even more balanced if you let it sit for 30 minutes after whisking, allowing the flavors to marry and mellow slightly.
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