Quinoa & Sweet Potato Salad w/ Turmeric Tahini Dressing

Sara Forte
Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:57:18 +0000
Entrée, Gluten Free, Salad, Side, Summer

It used to be easier to write here. I like imagining who I am writing to and I’ve lost some of that here. I thought Instagram was a more effective place to share, but that place changed for me, as well. So, I want to be back here like I used to be. Every week if I can, which may be lofty, but I’m going to try. Writing about life or nothing, and sharing something that I made with you all. Perhaps not always a meal, even just a dressing we liked or something from a cookbook I’m enjoying. Would love to engage with you all. I just feel like there are almost too many ways now, and I need to keep shifting to find what fits. Anyway. Hi.

Speaking of you and me and connecting. I am doing a short-ish Zoom demo/class with my Cooking Club folks on Sunday morning at 9am PST. Admittance will be the recipe of a donation to Cajun Navy Relief, or any non-profit involved in the relief efforts in New Orleans. Please email or DM a receipt by Saturday. I would love to have any of you non-members along as well. We’re making some kid-friendly things - zucchini and bean taquitos with some avocado dressing to dip and maybe a nectarine crumble crisp if there is enough time.

Quinoa & Sweet Potato Salad
w/ Turmeric Tahini Dressing

Serves 2

The recipe is tinkered from the Many’s Gourmet Salads cookbook which has some truly excellent ideas for fellow salad lovers. It can take add ins, a swap of olives in for the feta to keep it dairy free, but by all means, double the dressing. It works as a dip and dressing for all sort of things. Have to laugh at home many meals on this site include sweet potatoes and quinoa BUT! Here we are, and it’s so good.

You can cook quinoa and lentils together with 2:1 water to lentil and quinoa ratio. Bring to a simmer, turn down the heat and cook with the cover ajar for about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

This does require a wee bit of prep, so if you are a salad person, I suggest doubling it and having the components on hand to make this salad a few times throughout the week. Everything saves well. I’ve added grilled chicken or salmon or toss extra firm squares of tofu in oil and coconut aminos and roasting it at a high heat until golden, about 20 minutes, for a veg friendly topping. However, it doesn’t need any of these add-ins, it is plenty satisfying as is!

Recipe adapted from Mandy’s Salads

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato - peeled & diced
1 Tbsp. of avocado oil
sea salt
fresh ground pepper

4 cups of spring mix
2 cups of baby kale
1/2 cup of cooked quinoa
1/2 cup of cooked & drained lentils
2 cups of diced cucumbers
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup of red onion - sliced paper thin
4 oz. of crumbled feta
1/4 cup of torn mint leaves
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1/2 cup of crispy chickpeas - store-bought or homemade
2 Tbsp. of sesame seeds
handful of dill

For the turmeric tahini dressing

1/4 cup of tahini
1/4 cup of room temp water
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 lemon - juiced
1 tsp. of turmeric
dash of cayenne
1/2 tsp. of curry powder
2 cloves of garlic - grated
1 tsp. of toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup of flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. of sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425’ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the sweet potato chunks in oil, salt and pepper. Spread them in a single later and roast for 20 minutes until tender. Remove to cool.

Combine all the dressing ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. If making this in advance, keep it covered in the fridge. If the dressing is too thick or the tahini seizes, add water in tablespoon increments.

Combine all the other ingredients in a giant bowl. Drizzle in the dressing in tablespoon increments, toss until well mixed and it is dressed to your liking. Serve your salad with some sesame seeds and dill to finish.