Ingredients
– 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
– 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced at a diagonal into 1-inch chunks
– 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup quinoa
– 2 cups vegetable broth
– 4 packed cups chopped fresh kale
– 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
– 1 ripe avocado, sliced
– chopped fresh parsley
– pickled red onion
– 1/4 cup tahini
– 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (or substitute apple cider vinegar)
– 1 tablespoon maple syrup
– 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
– 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
– 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
– 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
– Water as needed
Instructions
1-First Step: Prep the vegetables and heat the oven Start by preheating your oven to 425ยฐF. This high heat helps the cauliflower and carrots roast quickly while developing those deep caramelized edges that make a roasted veggie glow bowls recipe so satisfying. Line up a large rimmed baking sheet so you have plenty of room for the vegetables to spread out instead of steam. Place the cauliflower florets and carrot chunks on the sheet, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Sprinkle on the smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss everything well so the spices coat the vegetables evenly. If you are making this vegan Mediterranean roasted vegetables bowl for meal prep, this is also the best time to portion out extra vegetables for later in the week.
2-Second Step: Roast until crisp and caramelized Slide the baking sheet into the oven and roast the vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes. Give them a toss once halfway through so both sides brown evenly. You are looking for cauliflower that is tender with golden edges and carrots that are lightly browned and sweet. The roasting step matters because it builds the bold flavor in this vegan bowl. High heat draws out the natural sweetness in the vegetables while keeping some texture, which keeps the bowl from feeling soft or bland. If your cauliflower pieces are larger, they may need a few extra minutes, so keep an eye on them near the end.
3-Third Step: Cook the quinoa and wilt the kale While the vegetables roast, place the quinoa and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa looks fluffy. If you want a deeper look at the science and benefits behind quinoa, the research review on quinoa from the National Library of Medicine is a helpful resource. Once the quinoa is cooked, remove the lid and stir in the chopped kale along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the pan again and keep it warm for a few minutes. The heat from the quinoa softens the kale just enough while preserving its fresh green color. This step also keeps the base of the bowl moist and flavorful.
4-Fourth Step: Whisk the golden tahini dressing In a bowl, combine the tahini, sherry vinegar, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, curry powder, ground turmeric, and kosher salt. Whisk until the mixture starts to come together. Tahini can be thick at first, so do not worry if it looks a little stiff. Now add water slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition until the dressing turns smooth and pourable. You want it creamy enough to coat the vegetables but still thin enough to drizzle across the bowl. If it gets too thin, whisk in a touch more tahini. If it is too thick, add a tiny splash more water.
5-Final Step: Assemble and serve To build each bowl, divide the quinoa-kale mixture among 4 bowls. Top with the roasted cauliflower and carrots, then add avocado slices and a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds. Drizzle generously with the golden tahini dressing and finish with chopped parsley or pickled red onion if you like a little extra color and tang. The contrast of warm roasted vegetables, fluffy grains, creamy avocado, and crisp pumpkin seeds is what makes this bowl so memorable. Serve right away while the vegetables are warm and the dressing is silky. If you are feeding a crowd, set the ingredients out buffet-style and let everyone build their own veggie bowl. That makes this recipe especially friendly for family dinners, casual gatherings, and busy weeknights.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ฅ Swap carrots for sweet potatoes or add roasted chickpeas for variety and extra protein.
โฐ Chop veggies up to 3 days ahead and store in fridge for effortless meal prep.
๐ฅฃ Store leftovers separately (reheat quinoa/veggies; thin dressing with water) for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Healthy Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 13.5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 13 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
