Warm Salad Bowl (Printable)

A wholesome bowl featuring warm grains, roasted vegetables, and leafy greens tossed in a warm vinaigrette.

# What Goes In:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Greens

10 - 4 cups baby spinach or kale, stems removed

→ Warm Vinaigrette

11 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings (Optional)

17 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
19 - Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and golden.
03 - Combine quinoa or brown rice with water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes for quinoa or according to package directions for rice, until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small pan over low heat, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until just warm, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - In a large bowl, toss spinach or kale with half of the warm vinaigrette, allowing the greens to wilt slightly.
06 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with wilted greens, roasted vegetables, and optional toppings. Drizzle with remaining warm vinaigrette and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and makes you feel like you've accomplished something worthy of a gold star.
  • The warm vinaigrette wilts the greens just enough to make them tender without making you feel like you're eating cooked lettuce.
  • You can prep components separately and assemble whenever hunger strikes, making it perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of quinoa—I learned this the hard way when one batch tasted inexplicably soapy, and it's such an easy fix.
  • The warm vinaigrette is the actual star; don't let it sit too long or it cools down and loses its wilting power, so have your bowl assembly ready before you make it.
  • Taste the vinaigrette before you pour it into the greens—if it feels too strong, add a splash of water, because greens are sensitive and deserve balance.
03 -
  • Roast all your vegetables on one sheet by cutting everything to roughly the same size—they'll finish at the same time and you'll feel like you actually have your life together.
  • If your vinaigrette breaks or looks separated, whisk in a splash of water and it usually comes back together with surprising grace, much like most things in cooking and life.
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