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Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Lentil Salad

Shaina · October 9, 2017 · 39 Comments

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.

    Chai Spiced Apple Scones with Apple Cider Glaze by Floating Kitchen
    Smoky Pumpkin Black Bean Chili by She Likes Food
    Cheddar Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
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    Instant Pot Red Velvet Beet Soup by Letty’s Kitchen
    Roasted Delicata Squash, Fig and Persimmon Wild Rice Salad by Flavor the Moments
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    Spaghetti Squash Shakshuka by Kitchen Confidante
    One-Skillet Zucchini Lasagna by Vintage Mixer
    Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Peppers by Foodie Crush
    Curry Cauliflower Quinoa and Lentil Salad Recipe | FoodforMyFamily.com

    Filed Under: Featured, Main Course, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: autumn, eat seasonal

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      October 9, 2017 at 9:51 am

      Autumn is filled with some of my favorite produce. I’ll miss Summer berries, but there are so many wonderful things to eat in the Fall that I don’t lament them too long! Love this harvest salad!

      Reply
      • Sofia says

        July 25, 2019 at 8:13 am

        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. marcie says

      October 9, 2017 at 10:23 am

      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. Liren says

      October 9, 2017 at 11:54 am

      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
    4. Becky says

      October 9, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I’m so glad for Octobers too!!! And this recipe… I love every single ingredient.

      Reply
    5. Katie | HealthySeasonalRecipes says

      October 9, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      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
    6. Letty / Letty's Kitchen says

      October 9, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      This would be a very popular salad at a potluck dinner. The October quote is right on the money–thank you! A lot of grateful October lovers going around here!

      Reply
    7. Laura says

      October 10, 2017 at 8:31 am

      What a beautiful salad! I love it!

      Reply
    8. Satyakam says

      November 15, 2017 at 4:28 am

      Hey shaina…! its a very healthy recipe for our health and your salad looks amazing and many colorful. Thanks for sharing….!

      Reply
    9. Umakant says

      November 23, 2017 at 4:07 am

      Marvelous…! this is one of the best recipe till now. i will try to it, in upcoming weekend, Thanks for sharing……..!

      Reply
    10. GoMovies says

      December 8, 2017 at 10:20 pm

      This is amazing

      Reply
    11. Riddhima Nair says

      April 26, 2018 at 7:49 am

      This looks so amazing.

      Reply
    12. Betty Dicks says

      May 10, 2018 at 5:57 am

      The combination looks very nice and this is something very interesting. Thanks for sharing this idea.

      Reply
    13. Neve says

      May 13, 2018 at 10:47 am

      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. color switch says

      May 23, 2018 at 3:53 am

      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
    15. gmail says

      August 25, 2018 at 11:07 am

      This salad looks so good. I’m in diet for 2 months. I will do this salad for BBQ party tommorrow.

      Reply
    16. John Sen says

      August 30, 2018 at 8:50 am

      very awesome salad . thanks

      Reply
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      September 26, 2018 at 3:04 am

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      Reply
    18. Rachel Sweeney says

      October 4, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      I’m not normally a fan of lentils, but I think I could make an exception for this. It looks incredible!

      Reply
    19. Selina says

      October 20, 2018 at 12:37 am

      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
    20. Uzzal says

      October 20, 2018 at 12:38 am

      Very nice!

      Reply
    21. Cookware Diary says

      November 6, 2018 at 2:23 pm

      Looks so yummy and delicious. Will it help to reduce belly fat?

      Reply
    22. PiZZERiA says

      December 7, 2018 at 6:17 am

      This recipe definitely helps to maintain body weight.
      Keep it up ..!

      Reply
    23. Taste says

      December 26, 2018 at 3:54 am

      Nice to be visiting your blog again.

      Reply
    24. deepak says

      March 1, 2019 at 1:15 am

      Very nice recipe to make salad tastier . Useful info for diet

      Reply
    25. Sunil Dogra says

      March 17, 2019 at 11:33 pm

      It seems to be very healthy and nutritional. Thanks for sharing this.

      Reply
    26. Cookware Ninja says

      March 18, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      Hi Shaina,
      This looks so yummy and healthy. Going to take the taste soon.

      Reply
    27. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

      April 3, 2019 at 7:06 am

      Oh my word! I need this in my life. This Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Lentil Salad looks soooo delicious!

      Reply
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      April 5, 2019 at 12:22 am

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    29. MBBS Admission in Abroad says

      April 22, 2019 at 4:20 am

      nice post , thank you for sharing information

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    30. kosigro says

      June 27, 2019 at 5:27 am

      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. veronika says

      June 28, 2019 at 8:09 am

      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. Raushan Gupta says

      July 26, 2019 at 2:09 am

      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
    33. Mobasir Hassan says

      September 17, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      You made a nice recipe with cauliflower and it is healthy too. I am going to share it with all my friends. Thank you for a lovely idea with cauliflower.

      Reply
    34. https://www.maggardlaserart.com/ says

      September 27, 2019 at 11:51 am

      I’m so grateful with you procedure that you’ve shared with us. This is so amazing!

      Reply
    35. Tamil News says

      November 6, 2019 at 9:59 am

      Will definitely try it.

      Reply
    36. gmail login says

      November 14, 2019 at 10:02 pm

      Thanks a lot for the post. It has helped me get some nice ideas. I hope I will see some really good result soon.

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      November 15, 2019 at 2:06 am

      The fried rice looks so delicious and very appealing, I really love such dishes.

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    38. Samantha Miller says

      December 3, 2019 at 8:55 am

      Love this recipe :>

      Reply

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    Hello, I'm Shaina. Food for My Family is where I share recipes, tips, opinions, and my philosophy on food as Ole and I strive to teach our four children how to eat well: seasonally, locally, organically, deliciously, and balanced. [Read more...]
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