“But, why?”, you ask. Well, let me tell you!
- SWEET POTATOES. Need I say more?
- All the healthy things.
- Quinoa & Chickpeas for added protein and feel-good energy!
- FENNEL.
Looking for an easy approach to preparing quinoa? Check out our post How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly Every Time.
If you’ve never had fennel, it’s a bulbous vegetable with leaves that look similar to dill. It’s flavor is warm, sweet, and yet it has a little bit of a kick to it! It also has a licorice taste that will totally change your view on life. Apparently, you can use every part of the vegetable (including the bulb). But I wouldn’t know anything about that (YET)! I just used the wispy top for this salad 😉
And, just sayin’, if you’ve been following my “how to start loving salads” advice (noted on the Beet Buckwheat Salad w/ Kale, Cabbage, & Carrots recipe) you know how important it is to get creative and make your salads as colorful and diverse as possible! Cue sweet potatoes! Let’s get some orange in there, shall we? Not to mention that sweet potatoes make the world go ’round.
Now let’s talk about the chickpeas. Personally, I’m 100% ok using these delicious canned organic chickpeas! However, you can also buy these uncooked chickpeas and make them yourself. Let’s get started on this delicious Sweet Potato Fennel Salad!
Have you ever had fennel? Do you like it? Cody said he liked it in the salad but not on it’s own. I, however, loved it both ways!
Sweet Potato Fennel Salad w/ Quinoa & Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup dry quinoa
- 1/3 cup chickpeas
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 sprigs fresh fennel
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes.
- On a baking tray, lay the cubed sweet potatoes flat and spray with coconut oil. Sprinkle a little bit of sea salt over them, then bake for about 30 minutes.
- While the sweet potatoes are baking, cook the quinoa according to directions (using 1/2 cup of water).
- Once the sweet potatoes are soft and the quinoa has cooked, put the salads together by layering the romaine lettuce, sweet potatoes, quinoa, chickpeas, olive oil, and fennel.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Natalie says:
I think I never had fresh fennel in a salad before. But sounds like a great option to add. This salad is perfect lunch. Thanks for idea. I will save the recipe and give it a try.
Kathy says:
It’s amazing to think that back then, all of us just starting out, and that we had NO IDEA the adventures ahead of us. Couldn’t even have imagined, right? I adore watching the success you’ve had and the path that you’ve made… while staying true to your heart. Which is why I know this project will be a success – it’s not a gimmick, a show, a marketing idea. This is so you, sharing your passion in a way to truly change the lives of others. You, are so great.
Kathy Kenny Ngo says:
Sweet potato is really good. I’ve had it before and it’s really healthy. My Dad would even tell me that I can eat all the sweet potato that I want coz its good kind of carb.
Amy Jones says:
Looks so healthy and delicious, ill try adding it to my salad recipes!
Lisa Rios says:
My goodness, that looks like a wonderful salad with some great combination of healthy ingredients. I love anything that is done with Sweet Potatoes & the chickpeas & dry quinoa combo makes this a wonderful recipe to try out right away!
christina aliperti says:
I love sweet potatoes and I also love fennel. This looks and sounds like a winner. I can’t wait to try this. I think next weekend when I go to see my mom I will make this.
Christine McMichael replied:
Yay! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Berlin says:
I love to try your salad. My mom and I would always eat salad when outside the house and they can be real expensive. So when I have some fresh veggies, I always prepare salad for us.
Christine McMichael replied:
It definitely is expensive when eating out! That’s perfect, hope you enjoy the recipe!
oana79 says:
Very healthy looking salad, I am sure it was very tasty too. We use fennel a lot in Romania, the bulbous part mainly for preserves.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you! I’ve never used the bulbous part but hope to try it one day!
Emma white says:
I have never tried fennel before but that salad does look rather yummy!
Christine McMichael replied:
I never had either, and I was pleasantly surprised! Thank you, Emma!
Heather says:
I love fennel and sweet potatoes, this looks great!
Christine McMichael replied:
Meeeee too! SO good! Thanks, Heather 🙂
Heather says:
Oh that looks so good for you and yet delicious! What an amazing healthy salad.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Heather! It’s so good!
Elizabeth O. says:
I am so in love with sweet potatoes too. We’ve been experimenting all week, from sweet potato fries to mashed sweet potatoes and more. This is a great addition to my list of sweet potato recipes! Thank you!
Christine McMichael replied:
Oh, man! Don’t get me started on sweet potatoes. Everything sweet potato is amazing. Of course, friend!
Michelle Gwynn Jones says:
Without the quinoa it sounds like a great salad. 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Michelle! You can substitute the quinoa for brown rice, or really any type of grain (or just leave it out altogether) 😉
tara pittman says:
I love fennel. I just dont like how pricey it is
Christine McMichael replied:
Yeah, I agree, Tara! That is definitely a downfall.
Trish Delgado says:
This looks like an extremely healthy and colorful salad. I have never had fennel before.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Trish! Fennel is so good!