Dinner

INGREDIENTS

Green quinoa

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cup baby spinach, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup cilantro (mostly leaves, stems are ok), lightly packed
• 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded, membranes removed and roughly chopped
• 1 medium shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 garlic clove, peeled, roughly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste

Sweet potatoes

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes (3 to 4 medium sweet potatoes), peeled and sliced into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Seasoned black beans

• 2 cans (14 ounces each) black beans or
• 3 cups cooked black beans, with their cooking liquid
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar or lime juice
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Additional garnishes

• 1/4 cup pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
• 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• Jarred mild salsa Verde
• Chopped cilantro
• Crumbled feta (optional, not vegan)

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line one large, rimmed baking sheet and one smaller sheet with parchment paper. Place the spinach, cilantro, jalapeño, shallot, garlic, salt and 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the quinoa and stir to coat. Spread the quinoa in an even layer on the bottom of the pot and let the quinoa lightly brown. This happens quickly! When the quinoa starts to brown, stir it and spread it out in an even layer again so that more of the quinoa browns.
3. When most of the quinoa has lightly browned, scrape the green purée into the quinoa. Stir until the quinoa is evenly coated with green purée and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for a minute. Add the rest of the vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover the pot. Cook the quinoa on a very low simmer until tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
4. While the quinoa cooks, toss the sweet potatoes in the olive oil, smoked paprika and salt until the sweet potatoes are evenly coated in oil. Arrange in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway, until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelizing at the edges.
5. Meanwhile, transfer the beans and their cooking liquid (don’t drain the beans) to a medium pot. Stir in the cumin and chili powder and warm over medium heat. Once the beans are simmering, cover the beans and reduce heat to maintain a very gentle simmer until you’re ready to serve.
6. Once the quinoa is done cooking, remove the pot from heat. Uncover the pot and place a clean terry towel or dish towel over the pot, then recover. The towel will help absorb excess liquid as the quinoa continues to cook in its own steam. (If you don’t have a clean towel, you can skip this step, just cover normally.) Let sit for 10 minutes.
7. Once the sweet potatoes are done cooking, toss the pepitas with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil and a sprinkle of salt on the small baking sheet. Toast the seeds in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes, until they’re turning lightly golden and making little pop- ping noises. Set aside to cool.
8. Flu the quinoa with a fork and season with salt if necessary. Remove beans from heat, stir in the vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper.
9. Assemble your bowls: First add green quinoa, then use a slotted spoon or fork to transfer beans to the bowls. Top with sweet potatoes and add a few slices of avocado to each bowl. Sprinkle with toasted pepitas and cilantro and optional feta. Serve with salsa Verde on the side.