Kale Harvest Grain Bowl (Print Version)

Nutrient-packed bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, massaged kale, fresh apple, pomegranate seeds, and pepitas in a tangy maple-mustard dressing.

# What You'll 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 - While potatoes roast, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. 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 in color.
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 comes together in under an hour but feels impressive enough to serve friends without apology.
  • The textures create this beautiful conversation between crispy, creamy, chewy, and crunchy that keeps you interested bite after bite.
  • You can make components ahead and assemble when hunger strikes, which is honestly a lifesaver on chaotic weeknights.
02 -
  • If you massage the kale more than two minutes it becomes almost too tender and loses its pleasant bite, so there's a sweet spot you'll learn to recognize.
  • Adding the dressing at the very last moment keeps everything crisp and prevents the bowl from becoming soggy, which is the difference between excellent and mediocre.
03 -
  • Toast your pepitas in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them to the bowl and your guests will ask if you're secretly a professional chef.
  • Save any leftover dressing in a jar in the fridge where it'll keep for a week and transform plain greens, roasted vegetables, or even simple grain bowls into something memorable.
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