Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad
Hubby and I got a kick out of this salad. You see, while we lived in Boston, we did a CSA share that we split with our good friends. Last summer we got kale almost every week in the CSA. Now I love me a good massaged kale salad, so I didn’t mind all that much. But our friend Michelle isn’t that big of a fan. For a long time during those weeks of kale, I ate kale and quinoa salads almost every day for lunch
Now quinoa is another thing that Michelle doesn’t like. I have been at her place when she tried to cook it and it just didn’t turn out. I agree that by itself, quinoa doesn’t taste like much of anything. I like to use quinoa as a substitute for rice or noodles in dishes.
So as Hubby and I were mixing up this salad, we commented on how it was composed of a bunch of our favorite foods. Butternut squash has always been a favorite of mine, and I have been on a huge pomegranate kick recently. I love the little burst of juice you get when you bite in to the seeds. They also give a great texture to any dish.
As we were commenting about loving everything about this salad, we joked that we should make it the first time Michelle comes to visit us in Cincinnati. We figure maybe we can get her to like kale and quinoa all at once. Then again, it might be risky and she might never come see us here in Ohio if we try to feed this salad to her.
Hopefully you enjoy kale and quinoa at least a little bit. And if you do, I think you’ll love this salad. It keeps fairly well in the fridge for a day or two, so we have been eating this for lunches at work the last couple of weeks.
One Year Ago: Hot Chocolate Cookies and Broccoli and Fruit Salad
Two Years Ago: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls and How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls and Indian Spiced Beans
Three Years Ago: Cranberry, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Dip
Five Years Ago: Vegan Brownies
Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad
This salad highlights flavors of winter with butternut squash and kale. The pomegranate arils provide a pop of color, juicey fruitiness, and texture.
Yield: serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 small butternut squash (~3.5 lbs)
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
pinch smoked paprika or ground chipotle pepper
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 bunches kale
1 cup water
1 pomegranate, seeded
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
salt and pepper
Directions:
First, roast the butternut squash. Preheat oven to 375F.
I like to nuke the squash in the microwave for 5 minutes after peeling it to soften the squash so it's easier to cut. Cut the squash into consistently sized pieces ~1 inch on each side. Toss with honey, olive oil, and paprika.
Spread squash onto a foil lined baking sheet and bake 30 minutes or until roasted. Stir every 15 minutes.
Remove squash from the oven and allow to cool while preparing the other components.
Next, prepare the quinoa. Follow the instructions on your package or combine 2 cups water with 1 cup quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until quinoa is cooked.
While the quinoa and squash are cooking, prepare the kale by removing any of the thick stems. Tear into bite-sized pieces. Add 1 cup water and the kale to a large pan or dutch oven. Cover and cook on med-high to steam the kale for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, toss the kale, and cook another 5 minutes.
Remove kale from heat and allow to cool.
Once squash, quinoa, and kale are cooked and cooled to room temperature, combine in a large bowl. Add goat cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds. Toss to combine. Add salt/pepper as needed
Recipe adapted from Foodtastic Mom
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
these look so fun! i, too, am LI, but i carry lactaid with me everywhere… and jp licks makes a lactose free flavor 🙂
Lactaid is my best friend. I have spare pills in the car, in Hubby’s wallet, in my purse and desk. Can’t ever be too prepared! I have had their lactose free flavors and they’re quite tasty. I wish they had more than one a month though!
Ooooh. This looks too good. I’m gonna have to try that.
I love the idea of using the cone method for ice cream cupcakes. I hadn’t thought of that. That strawberry down the middle of the cupcake is so perfect! I’m so glad you entered again!
I wouldn’t be able to live without ice cream! Your cupcakes are beautiful. Good luck in the competition!!!
They look pretty! Love the photo of the cross section where you can see the strawberry.
~ingrid
Those cupcakes look scrumptious! Oh, and you’ve gotta try Purely Decadent made with Coconut Milk Ice Cream! It’s rich and creamy, a lot like gelatto!
Thanks Vegiegail – I’ll have to check that out.
So cute! These are so pretty with the strawberry in the middle and they look delicious.
voted for your strawberry one..good luck!
gorgeous. love the inset strawberry. love the Neapolitan theme.
bethany@scoopalicious
I agree with you about the non-dairy ice creams available in stores. However, If you have an ice cream maker vegan chick-0-stick ice cream is unbelievably rich, creamy and delicious.
Here is the recipe http://couldntbeparve.blogspot.com/2008/09/chick-o-stick-ice-cream_04.html
Hey, these cupcakes sound awesome! I use to be Lactose Int., but I found the best cure ever & seriously have been L.I. cured for 7 years. I could not give up my dairy & use to take 3 Lactaid every time I ate.I heard about “Lactogen” on the radio on the way home from a trip. I would do anything to get rid of my L.I. so it was $90.00 at the time so I said what the heck I spent $200.00 a year on Lactaid. I was floored that it worked & 7 years later still no signs. I drink milk every morning, cheese everyday, & ice cream when ever. It retrains your body to except lactose, so for 42 days while you take it (a mix to drink with water) you have to stay away from all dairy & anything with dairy in it. I just went to the health food store during that time. I am sure you can find it on the web. Lactogen is the name
This is my second post, it erased my first. But for all you suffering with Lactose Int. try Lactogen it really works I have been cured for going on 7 years now. It was only $90.00 when I tried it & I was spending $200 a year on Lactaid at the time. I now can drink milk every morning, & eat cheese every day & ice cream when ever. It is not an on going thing you take it once for 43 days & that is it.