Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

Salad Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes

• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 cup quinoa uncooked

• 2 cups water 4-5 ounces fresh spinach

• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Lemon Vinaigrette Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1 large lemon (3 tablespoons juice)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Wash and chop your sweet potatoes. Place on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and salt + pepper (to taste). Toss everything to coat and place in oven. Let roast for 15 minutes and then flip the potatoes and roast for an additional 10-20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, prepare the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve to remove the bitter coating. In a small saucepan, combine quinoa with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover the pan with a lid.Turn heat to the lowest setting and cook covered for 15 minutes or until the water has completely absorbed. 3. Turn off the heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork. 4. Toss the cooked quinoa and sweet potato in a large bowl. Allow to cool. Meanwhile, prep the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic together in a small bowl. Slowly add in the olive oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking briskly. Whisk in the lemon juice. 5. Add spinach and cranberries to the salad.Toss everything together. Pour the desired amount of dressing. Enjoy!

We really enjoyed this recipe! It was full of different textures, delicious flavors, and it was very easy to prepare. This salad is packed with ingredients that help you keep fuller for longer. Fun Fact! Quinoa is one of the only plants that has a full amino acid profile. This means that it is a complete protein, like the protein found in beef, chicken, and fish. Quinoa is a great protein option for individuals looking to eat a vegetarian diet. Let us know what you thought about this recipe below!