This nourishing sweet potato and quinoa salad with spinach, feta and walnuts, is packed with delicious ingredients to create a healthy gluten-free salad full of flavour!
25ozsweet potatocut into 1-2 cm cubes. Leave the peel on if you prefer.
1tablespoonolive oil
1teaspoonsumac
salt
black pepper
½cquinoauncooked
4cbaby spinach
14oztinned chickpeasdrained and rinsed
3½ozfeta cheese
2½ozwalnuts
2tablespoonspumpkin seedspepitas, toasted
1-2tablespoonsfresh mint
extrasumacfor serving
Lemon Dressing
3tablespoonsolive oil
1tablespoonlemon juice
½teaspoonDijon mustard
salt
black pepper
Instructions
Cook The Quinoa
Tip the quinoa into a sieve then wash well under a running tap to remove the bitter tasting saponins.
Cook the quinoa according to the packet instructions, drain well and leave to cool.
Roast The Sweet Potato
Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200℃ fan / 220℃ / 428℉.
Line a baking tray / sheet with baking paper.
Place the cubed sweet potato onto the tray, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with the sumac. Season with salt and black pepper.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring half way through.
Tip the walnuts and pumpkin seeds into a small baking tray and pop into the oven for 3-5 minutes, until golden.
Leave the sweet potato, walnuts and pumpkin seeds to cool to room temperature.
Make The Lemon Dressing
Add the olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustards, salt and black pepper to a jar or small bowl and shake / mix to combine. Set aside.
Make The Salad
Combine the cooked quinoa with the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, baby spinach and walnuts and pumpkin seeds and mint.
Stir in the dressing then spoon the salad out onto a serving plate or bowl.
Crumble over the feta cheese and sprinkle with extra sumac.
Serve the salad immediately.
Any leftovers will keep in an airtightcontainer in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
INGREDIENTS NOTES
Sumac – this tart, tangy spice with its beautiful red hue adds a slight citrusy tang to the sweet potato. If you don’t have it then omit it.
Sweet potato – or substitute with butternut squash or pumpkin.
Feta – or substitute with goats cheese.
Chickpeas – I also like to use cooked brown lentils in this salad if I don’t have chickpeas.
Walnuts – substitute with almonds, or leave out altogether if you want a nut-free salad. The pumpkin seeds / pepitas provide the crunch.
MAKE AHEADI recommend serving the salad immediately after mixing together as the spinach can wilt and become watery. However you can make various elements to the salad ahead:
Roast the sweet potatoes – and store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
Toast the walnuts and pumpkin seeds - and store in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
Make the lemon dressing – and store in the jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.