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Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Lentil Salad

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A recipe for a fall harvest curry salad with cauliflower, nutty quinoa, lentils, chard, cilantro, and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Curry Cauliflower Quinoa and Lentil Salad Recipe | FoodforMyFamily.com

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I’ve been watching the tables groan under the weight of the piled produce at the market and thinking about autumn’s slow death as we creep towards winter. There’s beauty in the final push. The baskets filled to overflowing, bunches of herbs tumbled together. And the flowers.

I stood outside yesterday–first at the market and then at home–appreciating that the sun felt warm on my skin. Our chickens (I haven’t talked about them here yet–we got chickens) scratched at the creeping charlie, pecking at the grass seed we put down as an exercise in futility. My gardens are sagging from the cool evenings and a bit from being trampled by our new flock who think they have full range of every bit of our backyard. Except for the chard and the kale. I’m always surprised at how long the two rows of chard and kale will last, withstanding summer’s sweltering heat and continuing to produce right until the first frost.
Curry Cauliflower Quinoa and Lentil Salad Recipe | FoodforMyFamily.com
Marinated cauliflower and a handful of that all-weather-hardy chard meet quinoa and lentils here. The lentils melt into the quinoa a bit to help hold everything together a bit, creating a creaminess to the otherwise chewy grains. A curried dressing holds it all together. For a bit of a spicy kick, add in a fresh chili pepper to the dressing.

Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Lentil Salad

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon coriander
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 ½ cups rinsed quinoa
  • ½ cup red lentils
  • 2 cups finely chopped cauliflower
  • 2 cups chard
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • ¼ cup roasted and salted pepitas
  • For the dressing
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon coriander
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, salt, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, and turmeric. Bring to a boil. Stir in the quinoa and lentils. Return to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for another 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and refrigerate until cold.
  • While the quinoa chills, prepare the salad. Mix together the white wine vinegar, water, salt, cumin, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, and the garlic. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
  • Place the cauliflower in a large bowl. Add the chopped stems from the chard and the shallot. Toss with the dressing and allow to marinate until the quinoa is ready.
  • Before eating, toss together the quinoa and cauliflower mix. Add in the chard greens and cilantro. Top with the roasted pumpkin seeds. Serve cold.

    • Notes

    Makes 4 meal-sized servings or 6+ side-sized servings

    © Shaina Olmanson
    Category: Salad

     
    October-Seasonal-Recipes
    It’s October’s Eat Seasonal, and I have to say, while I generally consider August my favorite month for produce, autumn is not dissappointing. Click through to see what everyone is making this month, and follow along on social media using #eatseasonal.

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    Curry Cauliflower Quinoa and Lentil Salad Recipe | FoodforMyFamily.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      • yeah, it looks amazing. The most important is it is healthy. I also follow mister tikku, travel-food blogger and his blogs are amazing.

        Reply

    2. I always dread the end of summer for a bit but as soon as I start seeing some of my favorite produce I’m over it! This salad is just the thing to make fall exciting — it’s just gorgeous and filled so many delicious flavors!

      Reply

    3. Before I forget, I can’t wait to hear more about your chickens, Shaina! But on to this salad — fall in a bowl! I love the curry flavors you have infused into the quinoa, it totally fits my mood these days.

      Reply

    5. Oh wow, awesome that you got chickens! So jealous. We’re not around much in the summer so I can’t have them here. So I’ll just have to live vicariously through you. And chard- love that you used it raw in this dish. I am always looking for ways to use it raw. I’ll have to try it.

      Reply

    13. Shaina, this is a superfood lovers dream… quinoa, cauliflower, lentils… hang on, pretty much every ingredient.

      Now, the test is, can I get my 4-year-old girl to eat it?

      Let’s find out. (I’ll report back.)

      Neve x

      Reply

    14. Hi, your post is truly flawless and unique. Good content, but it would be better if in future you can talk about more about this subject. Really very perfect your article and blog post.

      Reply

    19. Awesome recipe! As a Nutritionist i can say this food is 100% healthy and nutritious. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, I will must try to home.

      Reply

    30. The list of ingredients is quiet long, but the the food types look wonderfully appetising!
      Think one can make a great BBQ from this.
      My best would be 6+ side-sized serving portions

      Reply

    31. Hi, Thanks for posting the recipe here. Being a food lover every time I am looking for new recipe and food ideas. I will try this recipe at home.

      Reply

    32. Hey Shaina,
      It looks very healthy recipe and I would love to make it. But I think Cauliflower won’t be available this time. But, anyway I love your food recipes.

      Reply

    42. Very good write-up. I certainly love this website and related to assignment and homework solving company (Help with Assignments) Thanks….

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    51. Looks healthy food and amazing, best for vegetarian people. However, if you are in need of drywall repair service you may visit our website or call us at (720) 605-7260.

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