Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

I have a secret and I feel that I am compelled to confess.  First, let me start by saying I love me some kale. I'm on that damn kale bandwagon, people. Seriously. I'm vegan...how could I not be? Well, here goes, I am kind of embarrassed to tell you that I am not all that into kale salads. What!? Oh, for shame! I know, I know...I have at least a handful of kale salad recipes here on my very own site.

It's true though, you know. They're just not really my bag. I will sometimes enjoy the occasional kale salad, however, I am very particular about them. They have to be pretty exceptional for me to really enjoy them and let's just say that this Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans blew my socks clean off, you guys! 

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

This is the best freaking kale salad I've ever had. Scratch all those other kale salad recipes you've got floating around and make this one instead. It is sooooo good. A new staple in our house for sure. Even Todd, Captain Vegan Junk Food Man, liked it. Todd...enjoying a kale salad...what is happening?! 

Creamy millet, hearty beans, sweet carrot ribbons and a flavorful sesame dressing with toasted sesame seeds all mingle with salted, massaged kale to make up my new favorite kale salad.

Hey, I think I actually do like kale salad afterall...

Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans 

Makes 6 large servings

Inspired by the lovely Scandi Home

  • --For The Salad--
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 1/2 cups sprouted bean trio, dry
  • 4 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup millet
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bunch of kale, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 large carrot, peeled into ribbons
  • --For The Dressing--
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. sugar or erythritol 
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 green onion, sliced

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spread the sesame seeds on a baking sheet and when the oven reaches temperature, bake them for about 10 minutes or until just browned and fragrant. Careful not to let them burn.

In a large saucepan bring the dry beans and 4 1/2 cups water to a boil. Then cover, and turn down to a simmer. Allow to cook for about 20-30 minutes. Test the beans for your preferred doneness. Drain, rinse and set aside for later.

In a small saucepan add the millet only and toast over medium heat for a few minutes. Then, add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.  Cover, and turn down to a simmer. Allow to cook for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to sit, covered for about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside for later. 

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

Add the kale to a large salad bowl and sprinkle it with the salt. Massage the kale for a minute or two. This will make it a little more tender. Add in the carrot ribbons and the sesame seeds and toss to mix. 

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

Combine all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or pitcher and whisk well to combine. 

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

Add the cooked beans to the kale and toss well to mix. Then, drizzle in the dressing and add the cooked millet and toss well to combine. Make sure to break up any millet clumps. Break it up, millet!

Serve at room temperature, then refrigerate any leftovers. 

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

Produce On Parade - Sesame Kale Salad with Millet and Sprouted Beans

[yumprint-recipe id='7'] 

Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

This Vegetable Quinoa with Maple Lemon Vinaigrette is truly one of Todd and my favorite dishes. It's hearty, healthy and it's the perfect blend of flavors thanks to the sweetness from the maple syrup, the saltiness of the miso paste and the sourness from the lemon juice and the vinegar. I love everything about it and I am so happy to finally share one of my all-time, most beloved dishes!

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

I really enjoy TruRoots Organic Sprouted Bean Trio, which is a mix of dry, quick-cooking lentils, adzuki, and mung beans. I get mine from Costco, but you could use any bean(s) you like! If however, you have an aversion to beans, then just double the quinoa and it's water and ignore the beans and their respected water.

Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

Inspired by Iowa Girl Eats

Serves 6

  • -- For the Quinoa and Beans --
  • 2 cups water (for the quinoa)
  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 3 cups water (for the beans)
  • 1 cup dry TruRoots Sprouted Bean Trio (or double quinoa)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 medium zucchinis, chopped
  • 4 ears of cooked corn , kernels cut off the cob (about 3 cups frozen/fresh)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 green onions, sliced thinly
  • small handful of fresh basil, chopped finely
  • -- For the Maple Lemon Vinaigrette --
  • fresh juice from 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
  • 3 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. miso paste
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

To start, bring the 2 cups of water and 1 cup dry quinoa together to a boil. Make sure to rinse the quinoa first! Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. When done cooking, fluff with a fork.  At the same time bring the 3 cups of water and 1 cup sprouted bean trio together to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes are up, allow to rest, covered for 10 minutes and then drain.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

While the quinoa and beans cook, begin by preparing the vegetables. In a large frying pan heat the olive oil, then add the garlic, zucchini and corn. Saute over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

While the zucchini is cooking, whip up the vinaigrette. It's very easy. Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl! Oh and please, for the love of good food, use fresh lemon juice...from like, a real lemon. Just trust me!

circlelemons

You can't really tell in the photo below but that lemon was just thawed from being in the freezer. That's right! If you've got a lemon that's on it's way but you're not ready to use it, just freeze it. When you need lemon juice, just soak it in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes and then squeeze away. I wouldn't do it if I needed lemon slices though, but for lemon juice it's perfect!

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette

Once the zucchini mixture is done cooking, turn off the heat and add in the cooked quinoa, cooked beans, tomatoes, basil and green onions. Then add in the vinaigrette and mix well to combine. Serve warm.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon VinaigretteIt was a rainy day here in Alaska indeed. A perfect day for a warm and wholesome quinoa and bean salad!

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon VinaigretteLast night for dinner we had my Sweet Potato Mac and "Cheese" and it was sooo good! Rainy day comfort food is the best food.

Produce On Parade - Sweet Potato Mac and "Cheese"

Vegetable Quinoa with a Maple Lemon Vinaigrette
Recipe Type: Entree
Author: Katie - Produce On Parade
Serves: 6
This Vegetable Quinoa with Maple Lemon Vinaigrette is hearty, healthy and it's the perfect blend of flavors thanks to the sweetness from the maple syrup, the saltiness of the miso paste and the sourness from the lemon juice and the vinegar.
Ingredients
  • -- For the Quinoa and Beans --
  • 2 cups water (for the quinoa)
  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 3 cups water (for the beans)
  • 1 cup dry TruRoots Sprouted Bean Trio (or double quinoa)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 medium zucchinis, chopped
  • 4 ears of cooked corn , kernels cut off the cob (about 3 cups frozen/fresh)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 green onions, sliced thinly
  • small handful of fresh basil, chopped finely
  • -- For the Maple Lemon Vinaigrette --
  • fresh juice from 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
  • 3 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. miso paste
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Bring the 2 cups of water and 1 cup dry quinoa together to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. When done cooking, fluff with a fork. At the same time bring the 3 cups of water and 1 cup sprouted bean trio together to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes are up, allow to rest, covered for 10 minutes and then drain.
  2. In a large frying pan heat the olive oil, then add the garlic, zucchini and corn. Saute over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
  3. While the zucchini is cooking, whip up the vinaigrette. Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl!
  4. Once the zucchini mixture is done cooking, turn off the heat and add in the cooked quinoa, cooked beans, tomatoes, basil and green onions. Then add in the vinaigrette and mix well to combine.
  5. Serve warm.