Nutrition is a cornerstone of healthcare, influencing both the prevention and management of diseases. Healthcare professionals with a strong foundation in nutrition can provide more comprehensive and effective care to their patients. Nutrition can help with disease prevention and management, optimal growth and development, immune function, recovery and healing, chronic disease management, and so much more.
But it can also be intimidating when patients start asking you for guidance on nutrition. You may find yourself asking, “I'm not a dietitian. What kind of advice can I offer within my scope of practice?” To help you give your patients some guidance, we're sharing this warming and bright recipe. Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing comes straight from nutrition expert Cindi Lockhart, RDN, LD, IFNCP. The special but simple combinations of vegetables, grains and fats makes for a filling yet hearty meal. Plus, these foods can be easily absorbed and utilized by the brain, and it's delicious.
Cindi's Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups curly kale, roughly chopped
- 2 small sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 large bunch of asparagus
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp water, to thin
- Salt + pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook quinoa according to the package instructions.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.
- For the asparagus, cut off the woody ends, and then slice into thirds. Set aside.
- Place the cubed sweet potato onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 tsp of oil and season with 1/2 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Roast the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add the asparagus, along with another tsp of oil and 1/2 tsp of oregano.
- Roast the sweet potatoes and asparagus for another 15 minutes.
- While the veggies are baking, massage the kale with 1 tsp of oil. Massage until the kale has softened and turned a bright green. Divide the kale into 2 separate bowls for serving.
- To make the dressing, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic powder, water, and salt & pepper. Taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- To assemble, add the cooked quinoa on top of the massaged kale. Add the roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus on top. Drizzle with the lemon tahini dressing.