Kale and Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chickpeas and Pepitas
When we moved a few months ago some friends of ours delivered dinner to us on moving night. They brought us a vegan veggie soup and a kale and quinoa salad that we are now obsessed with. These friends of ours are kale salad connoisseurs and after years of eating kale salads from restaurants all over town, they have created this at-home version that is a staple in their household. And now it’s a staple in ours!
They gave me a general overview of their method and I’ve taken it and put my own spin on it. This is one of those casual recipes where exact measurements aren’t really necessary so feel free to add and take away as desired.
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chickpeas and Pepitas
One of the best things about this recipe is that it just keeps getting better as it sits in the fridge and doesn’t get soggy. I like to make it early in the week and then have it on hand for easy lunches. It’s also delicious for dinner with or without the chickpeas topped with chicken or salmon and for brunch topped with a fried egg.
Before you get too excited, I do have to tell you that the secret ingredient is this DELICIOUS organic zesty ranch dressing from Tessemae’s so be sure to pick some up at the store or order it online if you want to try this salad.
Step one is to cook your quinoa and preheat the oven for the chickpeas.
You can season your chickpeas with a simple mix of salt and pepper or get more creative and add chili powder or garlic powder or whatever other seasoning sounds good to you.
Same goes with the pepitas. Salt and pepper or chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, whatever!
All roasted up and crispy!
While the quinoa and chickpeas cook, clean and cut the kale. I like to roll it up and cut it into little strips. Also, I only use tuscan/lacinto kale in this recipe. I do not like curly kale in kale salads but you can try it.
Massaging kale is a great hand strengthening exercise! I rub it down with olive oil, sea salt and lemon juice.
And then you just throw it all in a bowl and mix together with a heavy drizzle of the Tessemae’s Zesty Ranch. Taste as you go and add as necessary. You can also add a sprinkle of parmesan if you’d like.
I hope this kale and quinoa salad becomes a staple for you as well! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
