When I was quite young, my grandmother took me out to lunch at an LA diner. As she ordered, the waitress asked if she would like a “super salad” with her entree. I imagined a giant salad, sporting a cape and tights, flying to our table in order to rescue a drowning steak or abused mashed potato.
But I never got to meet this salad, because my grandma replied, “I’ll have the soup.”
If there were an election for a super salad (and wouldn’t that be much more fun than the actual upcoming election?) I would nominate this guy. He’s full of good-for-you ingredients: iron-rich kale, protein-packed quinoa, creamy roasted sweet potatoes, sweet-tart dried cranberries, omega-full nuts, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. He’s gluten-free and vegan. He is equally delicious warm, chilled, or at room temperature. He may not be well-traveled, but he does travel well – to work, a picnic, a potluck.
I find the clean, straightforward flavors of this salad a welcome relief after the spicyboozybuttery holidaze; we’ve had it three times in the past couple of weeks. Toasty cumin and crunchy pecans contrast tart lemon juice, creamy sweet potatoes, and chewy dried cranberries. Multi-colored quinoa ends up a mix of tender white grains and red and black flecks that pop in your mouth. A brief soak and thorough rinse rid the quinoa of any bitterness, leaving feather-light grains with nutty-sweet flavor.
Not only is this salad superb for you, it tastes super good, too.
Happy 2012.
Super salad:
White Bean, Kale, and Farro Soup
Creamy Sesame Soba Noodle Salad
Crispy Sesame Kale Chips
One year ago:
Spiced Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Two years ago:
Quinoa, Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
I love the way multi-colored quinoa ends up mostly tender, with flecks of red and black grains that retain a bit of crunch when cooked. And it looks pretty, too. If you can’t find any, use any color quinoa you like (red and black quinoa may need extra water and cooking time to soften). This salad is equally good warm, room temperature, or chilled. It keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge, though I find the flavors to be brightest when the salad is warm and freshly made. Fromage-philes will enjoy a bit of goat cheese crumbled over the warm version, or feta when it’s chilled.
Makes about 6 meal-sized servings
2 medium-large sweet potatoes (1 1/2 pounds, jewel), scrubbed, cut into 1″ chunks
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided use
sea salt
1 cup quinoa (preferably multi-colored)
1 large bunch kale (preferably black/dino kale)
1 tablespoon cumin seed
juice of 1 lemon (or more, to taste)
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup toasted pecans, broken up or coarsely chopped
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400º.
Toss the sweet potatoes in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Spread evenly on a sheet pan and roast until soft and golden, about 40 minutes, flipping the potatoes once halfway through cooking. Remove and let cool slightly (or completely).
Meanwhile, place the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl or large measuring cup. Fill the bowl with water to cover the quinoa and soak for 5-10 minutes. Remove from the soaking water and rinse thoroughly with cool water. Drain well. Place the soaked, rinsed and drained quinoa in a medium saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Bring the quinoa to a simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let the quinoa steam until the water is gone and the white quinoa is tender (the red and black quinoa will retain more crunch). Remove from the heat, leave the lid on and let steam 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Meanwhile, remove the ribs from the kale with a sharp paring knife. Stack 3 or 4 leaves on top of one another, roll them up the long way, and slice crosswise very thinly. Repeat with the remaining kale leaves. Place the leaves in a colander and set in the sink. Bring a large tea kettle of water to a boil, and pour the boiling water all over the kale to wilt it. Rinse the kale with cool water to stop the cooking. Squeeze dry and place in a very large bowl.
Toast the cumin seed in a small skillet over a medium flame, shaking frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool, then grind in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
Add the sweet potato cubes and quinoa to the kale, then add the cranberries, toasted and ground cumin, remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and juice of 1 lemon and gently toss to combine. Add the pecans and parsley just before serving.
The salad can be eaten warm, at room temperature, or chilled for a day or two. When chilled, the flavors get muted, so you may want to add an extra squeeze of lemon juice and a bit of salt and/or pepper to bring up the flavors.
I made this for a potluck and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you!
You're welcome! So glad you liked it.
Hello! Just found your blog through my sister (who highly recommended this recipe). I, too, made it for a potluck and there was not one lick left! I'm making it again right this second. Thank you!
Right on – thanks for commenting! Who's your sister?
I brought this to a book club meeting tonight. My husband is the cook in the house so everyone was surprised I actually made this. I had fun putting it together everyone loved it! I will definitely be making this again. I'm not even sure how I found your site but you are saved in my favorites. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind words! I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed the salad, and I'm particularly happy that you enjoyed making it. : )
I made this last week and my mom and I loved it! I've been telling my friends and they want to make it too ;)
So glad to hear it! :)
Just made and served to a dinner party of vegetarians. We all loved it. Worth the effort!
Right on! So glad you guys liked it. Thanks so much for commenting. :)
This is wonderful! I have made it 3 times already and am about to make it again. It is destined to become a staple in our house, as my hubby has many food intolerances but can eat every ingredient in this dish. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions which ensure success in the textures of this dish. It is really flavorful warm, but also tastes great cold from the fridge the next day. I'm so glad I found your site; I am looking forward to trying more vegetarian recipes soon!
Kimberly – I'm so glad you and your husband like the salad! Thank you for the kind words, and please keep us posted on the recipes you try!
Hi, what can I use instead of Kale?
This recipe's pretty loose, so you can really use whatever you like.
I just made this with English baby spinach which I wilted the same way as kale.
Hi Alanna! I love your blog :). And I really want to try this recipe, but here's the thing: I hate cumin. I know, I'm very weird. Any suggestion for a still-interesting spice replacement?
Thanks, Joyce!! You can totally make this without the cumin, I don't even think you'd need to add anything. Though you could try sprinkling a little za'atar (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/zaatar-recipe.html) or harissa dressing (https://www.bojongourmet.com/2013/04/spring-tabbouleh-with-harissa-and.html) over the top. You could try adding a fresh herb – a touch of sage might give it that deep, musky note that the cumin has, otherwise cilantro or mint or both – or try a bit of ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and/or coriander. I'd recommend making the salad as is, sans cumin, then seeing if you think it needs anything more. :)
Holy smokes. This was delicious. Made for a dinner party at a friends last night and it was a hit. The only thing I did different was add a touch of red pepper flakes for a little extra kick. Thank for a recipe I'll be using again!!!
I'm so glad you guys liked it! Chile flakes sound like a delicious addition. :)
I love this recipe. I've made it twice and my family loves it. I am a person who doesn't like cumin as well so when preparing the quinoa i put a tablespoon of "glory vegetable broth" while simmering. This is my new favorite salad:)
Hi Ivy, I'm so glad you like the salad! Vegetable broth/bouillon sounds like a brilliant substitution for the cumin to add some savory flavor. Thanks so much for sharing your variation!
This looks so delicious! Trying it this week. Thanks for the kale inspiration :)
Thanks, Chris! Let me know how you like it. :)
This salad is an amazing combination and so flavorful! I've made this many times for company and everyone always wants the recipe. Grinding my own spices is new to me but you've made me a believer! Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Hi Lauren- thanks for the note! I'm so glad you like the salad, and have taken to grinding your own spices. That's fantastic! This dish is a favorite of mine, as well. :)
Hi! I mentioned this post as an inspirational source for my "Sweet potato salad with millet, roasted grapes and dukkah" (http://maikinmokomin.blogspot.fi/2014/08/egyptin-makuja-bataattihirssi-salaatti.html). Thanks for such an inspiring blog and awesome recipes! :)
Omg that sounds and looks amazing! Thank you so much for the shout out – I'm so glad you're enjoying this space. :)
You are an AWESOME person for posting this recipe, it Rocks!!!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I have no food allergies but I Love good food and this tops it. Thanks again.
Oh thank you so much for the kind words!! I'm so glad you gave this recipe a go and like it!
The best kale recipe so far! I saw it on Pinterest and had a sweet potato so why not try it. I am so glad I did. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is delicious! This is great post-excessive eating recovery food.
Hello…..
Its was so delicious perfect salad for all occasion….
Thanks a lot for sharing your recipe….
Plz can i have more new recipe …..
More power…..Goodluck….
Cely
Thanks a lot…..
is this recipe featured in any cooking books?
Not that I know of – why do you ask?
this recipe is great! many times if the recipe makes it into a cook book there are other recipes in the book that are similar or just as good. i will definitely be checking out the rest of the site too. thanks!
Ah true! I do have a cookbook but it’s all baking recipes. :)