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Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad | Fall Quinoa Salad

This time of year you can still have salads, just of the warmer variety!

This quinoa salad fits the bill for sure!

This salad checks many boxes, being warm, hearty, and incredibly nutritious!

With the addition of pinto beans, sweet potatoes, apples, and bell peppers, you have the combination of crunchy, sweet, and savory all here!

And that, to me, is what really makes a salad worth diving into in the first place.

If you can find a balance between all your flavor profiles, you’re going to have a winner!

You can have this one alone, use it to stuff a butternut squash, or as a dish to impress your friends and family this Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

Cook and Prep Time: 45 minutes

Serves: 4 people

You Need

  • 1 ½ cups Cooked Quinoa
  • 1 15 oz. can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cup Roasted Sweet Potatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup Apples, chopped
  • 1 cup Bell Peppers, chopped
  • 4-5 Cloves Garlic
  • ½ cup Red Onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup Scallions, chopped
  • 1 bunch Cilantro, finely chopped

For the Dressing

  • 1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp. Maple Syrup
  • 1 Lemon, juiced
  • 1 tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup Chopped Cilantro or Parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Rinse and chop the produce accordingly.  Combine the dressing ingredients in a bowl, and whisk to combine.
  2. Set a pan or skillet to medium heat.  Once hot, add onions and garlic.  Cook until softened and the onion is translucent, 4-5 minutes.  Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
  3. Add pinto beans and stir to combine.  Season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.  Then, remove the bean from heat.
  4. Add the rest of the ingredients to a large bowl, except the cilantro/parsley.  Season with salt and pepper as needed.  Toss to combine.
  5. Add the dressing and half of the fresh herbs, and toss to combine once more.
  6. Serve with greens or serve hot in wraps or tacos.  Finish with olive oil and fresh herbs.  Enjoy!
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No Oil Sweet Potato & Spinach Stew

No oil AND packed with flavor?

I know what you’re thinking.

Probably as skeptical as I look in this picture! But yes you can make dishes without oil still packed to the brim with nutrition.

As a home cook, this was one of the hardest things for me to wrap my head around.

But in my opinion, the more flexible you can be, the better cook you become. So keep it fresh with this no-oil sweet potato stew!

No Oil Sweet Potato & Spinach Stew

Cook and Prep Time: 35 minutes

Serves: 3-4

You Need

  • 1 ½ lb. Sweet Potatoes, chopped finely
  • 1 large can Cannellini Beans
  • 1 bunch Scallions, chopped
  • 1 Yellow Onion, diced
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 6-8 oz. Cremini Mushrooms, chopped
  • 8 oz. Spinach, chopped
  • 2 cups of Vegetable Stock, for steaming
  • 2 tbsp. Tamari
  • 1 tbsp. Curry Powder
  • 2 cans Diced Tomatoes, with juices
  • Vegetable Stock, for sautéing
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste
  • Lime, for garnish
  • Chopped Cilantro, to garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Rinse and chop the produce accordingly. 
  2. Set a large pan or skillet to medium-high heat.  Once hot, add the scallions, white onion, and garlic.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, until onion has softened, adding vegetable stock as needed.
  3. Add the mushrooms, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
  4. Then, add the sweet and the vegetable stock. Cover, and let steam for about 10 minutes, until softened.
  5. Once softened, add beans and toss to combine, 2-3 minutes.  Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes more.  Add tamari and curry powder, and toss to combine.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve with alone or with brown rice.  Garnish fresh herbs and a lime wedge.  Enjoy!