Sweet Potato, Kale and Sun-Dried Tomato Salad

Sweer Potato, Kale and Sun-Dried Tomato Salad

SERVES 4 AS A MAIN, OR 6 AS A SIDE

This meal-worthy salad has everything you need: whole grains, lots of colourful vegetables, a creamy dressing, a nice crunch on top and tons of flavour. Even kale haters might come around; the trick is to massage the kale first to take away the bitterness and toughness of the leaves.

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potatoes
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (trimmed: 1.1lb, or 500g)
  • 2 red onions
  • 1 tbsp (15ml olive oil)
  • ½ tsp garlic granules
  • ¼ tsp chile flakes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Salad
  • 90g (3.1 oz) buckwheat or other grain
  • 100g (3.5 oz) shredded kale
  • 1 can butter beans (drained: 240g/8.5 oz)
  • 120g (4.2 oz) chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 56g (1.9 oz) crumbled vegan feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped almonds or seeds
For the Vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tbsp (25ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 1½ tbsp (25ml) lemon juice
  • 2 tsp (10ml) maple syrup or vegan honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To serve

  • 1
    Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Chop the sweet potatoes into 1-inch (2½- cm) chunks and slice the red onions into thick slices. Add to a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic granules, chile flakes, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the baking tray and roast for 40 to 45 minutes, until tender and crisp. Stir the tray well halfway through. Allow to cool slightly.
  • 2
    Cook the buckwheat according to package instructions. Allow to cool briefly while you prepare the rest of the salad.
  • 3
    Add all the vinaigrette ingredients with some salt and pepper to a glass jar with a lid. Seal the lid and shake the jar to mix the ingredients together.
  • 4
    Add the kale to the same large bowl (no need to rinse it out). Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the vinaigrette. Massage the kale with your hands for 1 minute to wilt the leaves; they will turn vibrant green.
  • 5
    To the kale, add the cooked buckwheat, butter beans, most of the sun-dried tomatoes, and the roasted sweet potatoes and red onions. Pour over most of the dressing and toss well.
  • 6
    Serve in a large bowl or four smaller bowls topped with the remaining sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle over the feta cheese, almonds, and the extra dressing.
  • 7
    Eat right away, or cover well and keep in a sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

Serving suggestions and variations: 

If you don’t like butter beans, swap these for other beans, such as cannellini or navy beans, or try chickpeas, too.

Recipe from Nourishing Vegan Every Day by Amy Lanza, £19.99 Fair Winds Press

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