Warm Salad Bowl (Print version)

Hearty grains, roasted vegetables, and fresh greens tossed in a warm honey-mustard vinaigrette for a nourishing meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Greens

10 - 4 cups baby spinach or kale, stems removed

→ Warm Vinaigrette

11 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings

17 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
19 - Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro, chopped

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and golden.
03 - Combine quinoa or brown rice and water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes for quinoa or according to package directions for rice, until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small pan over low heat, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until just warm, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - In a large bowl, toss the spinach or kale with half the warm vinaigrette, allowing the greens to wilt slightly.
06 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with wilted greens, roasted vegetables, and optional toppings. Drizzle with remaining warm vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and feels far more substantial than its effort suggests.
  • The warm vinaigrette actually coaxes flavor out of the greens instead of drowning them, which is a game-changer.
  • You can prep everything separately and assemble bowls family-style, letting people build their own.
02 -
  • Don't let that vinaigrette get hot—it only needs to be warm enough to carry the flavors, and if it boils, the vinegar becomes harsh and the mustard can separate.
  • The timing is everything here; assemble the bowls immediately after wilting the greens so the warmth hasn't faded and everything still tastes alive.
03 -
  • Prep your vegetables the night before and store them separately so assembly the next day takes five minutes flat—perfect for meal prep.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, assemble the components in separate bowls and let people build their own so everyone gets exactly what they want.
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