New Year Spinach Bowl (Printable Version)
Fresh spinach, hearty quinoa, roasted vegetables, and creamy citrus-tahini dressing in one nourishing bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup roasted sweet potato, diced
06 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
07 - 1/2 cup shredded carrot
08 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
→ Protein & Toppings
09 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas
10 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
11 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
→ Citrus-Tahini Dressing
12 - 3 tablespoons tahini
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - Salt and pepper to taste
19 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water for consistency adjustment
# How To Make:
01 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency.
04 - Divide cooked quinoa among four bowls. Arrange spinach, cherry tomatoes, roasted sweet potato, steamed broccoli, shredded carrot, red onion, chickpeas, and feta cheese on top of each bowl.
05 - Drizzle generously with citrus-tahini dressing and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing cold bowl.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The citrus-tahini dressing has this magical way of tying together all the different textures, creating this symphony that makes even simple vegetables taste extraordinary.
- You can prep most components ahead of time, which means after a busy day, youre just 10 minutes away from a bowl that feels both nourishing and a little indulgent.
02 -
- If your tahini seizes up when you add lemon juice, dont panic, just keep adding water and whisking vigorously, and it will eventually become smooth again.
- Roasting sweet potatoes on parchment paper rather than directly on the baking sheet gives them a more even browning and prevents that frustrating sticking that can tear off the caramelized parts.
03 -
- Toast your pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet until they just start to pop, then immediately transfer to a plate to stop the cooking process, which preserves their nutty flavor without developing bitterness.
- The dressing can be thinned with water for drizzling or kept thicker for dipping, and it transforms into an excellent marinade for tofu when combined with a splash of soy sauce.