We love a loaded salad! This meal is super easy to throw together and features some of my favorite fall flavors: tangy pomegranate seeds, sweet roasted squash, and loads of savory greens.
Ingredients:
+ Seeds from 1 pomegranate
+ Fall squash of your choice (I used Butternut)
+ Seeds from said squash ^
+ A bed of leafy greens that can be wilted (I used a mix of kale, mustard greens, and arugula - would recommend!)
+ Quinoa
+ Feta cheese
+ Mushrooms
+ Parsley
+ Peas
+ Onions + Garlic
+ Olive Oil
+ Balsamic Vinegar
+ Honey
Directions:
+ First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
+ Cut up your squash into 1/4 inch-thick pieces. Save the squash seeds!
+ Toss squash in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and stick it in the oven. Once you can easily stick a fork in them, they are done cooking. (About 15 min.)
+ Next, wash all the squash off your seeds and dry the seeds. Put them on a baking sheet with olive oil and spices of your choice (I like using turmeric and black pepper) - stick them in your oven or in a separate toaster oven.
+ Cook your quinoa by adding 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water in a pot. Put it on the stove and bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cover with a lid. In about 10 minutes, check your quinoa and fluff it with a fork once all the water is cooked out.
+ Prep your greens by cutting and washing them, then let them dry out.
+ Next, chop your onions and garlic and prep your mushrooms.
+ Cook your mushrooms in a pan on the stove. I usually start with onion and garlic in some heated olive oil. Once they are translucent, throw in the mushrooms and add a smooch of balsamic vinegar.
+ Once the mushrooms are cooked to your liking, turn off the stove.
+ Check your squash and seeds! And your quinoa!
+ In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey. Whisk it together until the ingredients form a smooth combination.
+ Chop up some parsley to add to the mix
+ Time to put your salad together! Get a big bowl out. First, put your greens down. Then, put your squash slices on top of the greens. Next, pour your balsamic/honey dressing over the squash and greens. Then add the quinoa, feta cheese, mushrooms, peas, pomegranate seeds, parsley, and squash seeds. Voila!
Look at you! You're a chef! Give yourself a kiss and enjoy your salad!