Roasted Root Vegetable Bowl (Print Version)

Colorful roasted root vegetables layered over fluffy quinoa with creamy tahini sauce.

# Components:

→ Root Vegetables

01 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 medium beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 2 medium turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
07 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary

→ Quinoa

09 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
10 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth
11 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Tahini Sauce

12 - ⅓ cup tahini
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the carrots, beets, turnips, and parsnips with olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
03 - Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - Combine quinoa, water or broth, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth. Add more water as needed for desired consistency.
06 - Divide cooked quinoa among 4 bowls. Top with roasted vegetables. Drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley and toasted seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns humble vegetables into something you actually crave, not just tolerate.
  • The tahini sauce makes everything taste richer without feeling heavy.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble bowls all week long.
  • It works whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or something to impress guests who eat clean.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or the vegetables will steam instead of caramelize, spread them out even if you need two pans.
  • Rinse your quinoa or it can taste bitter, I missed this once and wondered why everything tasted off.
  • Tahini sauce thickens as it sits, whisk in a bit more water right before serving if it's turned into paste.
03 -
  • Cut all the vegetables the same size so they roast evenly, I learned this after ending up with burnt carrots and raw turnips.
  • Toast your seeds in a dry skillet for a minute before sprinkling them on top, it makes them taste nuttier and crunchier.
  • Make a double batch of tahini sauce, it keeps for a week and you'll want to put it on everything.
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