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Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Vegan Cilantro Pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com

Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Vegan Cilantro Pesto

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
This Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Vegan Cilantro Pesto is nutty, tangy and filled with a whole lot of greens. Perfect recipe to kick off Spring.
5 from 2 ratings
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Ingredients

FOR THE CILANTRO PESTO

  • 1 bunch cilantro large stems removed
  • 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 red onion roughly chopped
  • 1 jalapeno roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE SWEET POTATOES

  • 1 large sweet potato spiralized
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE SALAD

  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup fresh peas
  • 1 can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups baby spinach

Instructions
 

  • FOR THE DRESSING: Combine all the ingredients, except for the salt and pepper, in a food processor. Blend on high, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides. Transfer pesto to a bowl and add salt and pepper. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • FOR THE POTATOES: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick spray. Cut off the tips of the sweet potato and use a spiralizer to cut potato.* Spread potatoes out on baking sheet and top with olive oil and garlic. Mix to coat evenly. Place in the oven for 10 minutes. Flip potatoes and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes.** Remove from the oven and top with salt and pepper.
  • FOR THE QUNIOA: While the potatoes are cooking, place quinoa and water in a pot over high heat. When water begins to bowl, turn heat to low and cover the pot. Steam quinoa for 10 minutes. Add peas and beans to the pan and stir to combine. Allow to heat through for an additional 5 minutes.
  • TO ASSEMBLE: Layer a cup of spinach on a plate, followed by 1/2 cup of quinoa mixture, 1/4 of sweet potatoes and cilantro pesto to taste. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

*If you don't have a spiralizer, you can grate the potato or cut it into chunks - just be mindful that this may affect cooking times.
**You may get a couple of pieces that get overly crispy. Be sure to check on potatoes to make sure they don't burn.
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