What I love most about summer time, besides being able to spend time with the kiddos. It’s about all the fruits and veggies that are in season. My kids have always been huge fans of salads, which is amazing. They’re always up for trying new foods, so I thought making tasty healthy recipes with quinoa loaded with some veggies would be the perfect kickoff to our summer vacation.
Since being out of work at Elon for summer break. I miss being able to cook everyday, who knew you would miss cooking everyday. So over summer break, my personal goal is to try new recipes that I can bring into the workplace. We’re always looking for new recipes to feed the college students for lunch and dinner.
If you’re not a fan of kale, that’s totally fine, you can use spinach if you like. Depending on where you buy your veggies, the kale that’s sold by the stock is most likely cheaper than the bagged kale. There’s just more work that goes into chopping it yourself. I’ve chopped so many greens from Elon, that I could most likely chop this in my sleep. You have to remember, it will first look like a lot, but once you cook it, it will not be a lot.
Next, I picked sweet potatoes and butternut squash, both of these are my go to vegetable. If you cut them into small enough square pieces, they will cook faster. I added some olive oil and garlic salt to give it some extra flavor, but here you can get a bit creative and add whatever seasonings you want to add.
Lastly, let’s give this salad some extra flavor with some dried cranberries, walnuts and some quinoa. I like quinoa because it’s an quick-cooking whole grain. I love using whole grains because they’re higher in fiber and protein than other grains. Fun facts: whole grains keep you fuller, happier and healthier too. If your heart desires you can add a dressing, I ate mine without anything.
Ingredients:
BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SWEET POTATOES:
- 1 butternut squash ( peeled and 3/4-inch diced )
- 2 sweet potatoes ( peeled and 3/4 inch diced )
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
KALE & BABY QUINOA:
- 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of quinoa ( I used 4 cups )
- 2 cups of baby quinoa
- 8 cups chopped kale
TOPPINGS:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves, chopped
- 1 cup of black beans ( drain and washed )
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put a piece of foil over a sheet pan before placing butternut squash and sweet potatoes to the pan. Then drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper & garlic salt. Make sure you toss, so all the pieces are covered and cooked evenly for 25 minutes.
- Bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to boil on high. Add quinoa, cover and reduce heat to a low. Let it simmer until all liquid is absorbed for roughly 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, stir and let sit to the aside.
- In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat then add the kale. Cook and stir until wilted for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic salt and cook for 1 additional minute or two.
- To assemble your salad you can mix it all together or layer it all nice and pretty, I personally like to mix all of mine together, add the quinoa and kale first. Then add your butternut squash, sweet potatoes. Lastly add your walnuts and dried cranberries on top.
Tami says
This salad recipe has several vegetables in it that I absolutely love. I do need to eat more quinoa, even though it is not my favorite. Hopefully, this combination will change my perspective of quinoa.
Ann Snook says
Yessss, this is so many of my favorite foods combined! I am still on the kale trend too . . . I know some people hate the taste but I really love it! With the cranberries and squash, it would be really good in the fall and winter, too.
Shelley King says
I have a new found love for butternut squash. I have always been a huge fan of sweet potatoes. This is right up my alley and I love summer for the same reasons. Love the fruits, vegetables, and the kids being home!
Rianna Galvez says
Yum!!! Seems like I found my “fall” salad this year! <3
Heather Johnson says
What a perfect dish to make for fall! You are really making me yearn for cooler autumn weather, squash, and cranberries with your recipe!
Angelle says
I love whole grain quinoa and mixing in additional nuts and berries. I love all of the elements of color, taste, and texture. This looks heavenly.
Bianca says
This looks amazing! I’ve only had butternut squash soup but I would give it a try in this salad.
Athena Carmichael says
Looks delicious! Will need to add to my meal prep for the week.
Kayla says
That looks like a delicious salad! I would love to make that for a weekly dinner sometime
May Palacpac says
I have never tried quinoa. It’s pretty pricey around here, but I’ve heard so much about it and well, it’s a popular food for dieters and fitness-conscious peeps, which I’m trying very hard to be. This looks easy enough to make. I will try this.
shelly peterson says
I have never had squash before but this looks like a great Summer salad.
Rosie says
This does look amazing, it would even be good for a holiday dish. I’d love to try it, I haven’t nade sweet potatoes or butternut squash in ages.
kathy pease says
This looks so delicious and I will have to try out the recipe 🙂
Calvin says
My mom makes this salad some times, never tried adding butternut squash though
Veronica Lee says
I am a big salad fan and this sounds really healthy and yummy!
Thomas Gibson says
My aunt would love this recipe. Thanks for posting.
Thomas Gibson says
This looks so delicious and filling.
Thomas Gibson says
This looks very light and refreshing. Great with any main entree such as turkey.
Adriane says
Wow – looks yummy and healthy!
Debbie P says
This sounds really good and I’m really looking forward to trying it.