Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate

When you’re looking for a switch from the fall favorite butternut squash, try a new variety like a delicata squash. Start with this Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate that just screams fall!

Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Butternut squash and spaghetti squash are very popular this time of year but can be intimidating. Sometimes they are a little hard to cut and peel. There are some really great how-to videos to help, but if you are looking for a squash that is a little easier to work with, try delicata squash!
Delicata squash has a thinner skin, plus the flesh in a little softer, making it much easier to cut through. No need to even peel the skin, it will crisp up when roasted.
Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
All squashes provide vitamin A and vitamin C, some of the B vitamins and are a good source of fiber. One cup of cooked squash contains about 100 calories. Deep-colored squashes offer the most beta-carotene.
Some squashes can be so large in size. When you are only cooking for 1 or 2 it can be a tad overwhelming and you can be eating squash for breakfast, lunch, and dinner just to not be wasteful. Delicata squash is smaller in size, which can be helpful.
Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen

I’m all about the less mess in the kitchen. Fewer pots and pans I have to wash, I am a happier girl. I was going to saute the kale in a pan to warm and wilt, but no need! Just add the kale right on top of the squash roasted during the last few minutes of cooking. This recipe is served warm, but it was just as delicious the next day as leftovers for lunch.

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Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate on a white plate

Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Salad

Description

When you’re looking for a switch from the fall favorite butternut squash, try a new variety like a delicata squash. Start with this Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate that just screams fall!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch (about 6 cups) kale
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate juice
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 shallot, minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 small delicata squash
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1/4 cup pecans, toasted

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Remove kale from stems, rinse, and pat dry.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, & dijon mustard. Stir in minced shallot. Season with salt and pepper. Add kale to the bowl, and massage kale leaves. Set aside.
  4. Cut the delicata squash lengthwise, scoop out seeds, then slice in 1/4 inch slices horizontally. Place on a baking sheet in an even layer. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, turning halfway through until browned and fork tender.
  5. The last 3 minutes, place kale directly on top of the squash and drizzle any remaining dressing. Cook to just let the kale wilt, and warm through.
  6. Toss kale and squash in a large bowl. Top with pomegranate seeds and pecans.
  7. Serve warm.

Keywords: delicata squash, kale, fall, salad

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com

Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes

Six ingredient stuffed tomatoes with whole grains can be eaten as part of a main dish or as a vegetable side.

Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenMost of my recipes are inspired of the game “What’s in my fridge?”. This usually happens at the end of the week, when there are leftovers or a few items here and there from other meals of the week. I feel like I’m en episode of Chopped and Ted Allen is giving me a mystery basket to cook with.
Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchenI used leftover quinoa, or you can use essentially any whole grain you like in this recipe. If you don’t have any leftover quinoa, you can always use this quick alternative.
This recipe can be easily adapted with the flavors you like. I added spinach, mushrooms, and garlic because that was what was in my fridge!
Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Have leftovers? The next morning, I reheated a quinoa stuffed tomato with a fried egg on top. A fried egg on top can make everything better.. am I right?
Now you can never say when you open your fridge, “I have nothing to eat!”. Just play “what’s in my fridge” and you’ll be surprised what you can come up with!

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Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes

  • Author: Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup spinach, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup mushrooms, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp garlic
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Core tomatoes, removing the inside flesh and seeds. Set aside the inside flesh from 2 of the tomatoes in a medium bowl.
  2. Dice the remaining tomato flesh. Add to a bowl with the quinoa, spinach, mushrooms, garlic and olive oil. Mix well to combine.
  3. Place tomatoes in a shallow pan. Stuff the tomatoes with the quinoa and vegetable mixture.
  4. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, until tomato begins to soften.
  5. Serve as a side dish, or make it a meal by adding a fried egg on top.

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Gorp (aka Trail Mix)

Skip the packaged trail mix where there are often a laundry list of ingredients and just make it yourself! Try this simple DIY trail mix which is perfect to bring on your next hike or as a grab and go snack!

Gorp (aka Trail Mix) via RDelicious Kitchen
This month has been quite hectic. Work has been busier than ever, Adrain (the bf) is moving, and now I am a day late for the Recipe ReDux monthly recipe. Ahh.. life!
Adrain is moving to south jersey to start Physical Therapy school, so this week has been packing and moving. I am currently sitting on the new couch (that I assembled), sipping on coffee, and writing this post in his new apartment.
Unfortunately, I am not moving here right now. I’m not going to lie, it sucks. From going to seeing each other every day, to only once a week, is going to be a big adjustment. Fortunately, I’m only in north jersey so it’s only about 2+ hours of a trip, which I will finagle getting here as much as I can.

A few weeks ago, we went hiking at the Delaware Water Gap on the Mount Tammany, Dunnfield Creek trail. Adrain is a hiking guru and did a bunch of big hiking trips in college. Also, the website linked is awesome. It has a detailed description and pictures of exactly what your hike will be like and where to go. The guy who writes this blog and his hiking pal (his pup!) have gone on hiking trails nationwide, so definitely check it out for your next hiking trip.
Gorp (aka Trail Mix) via RDelicious Kitchen
Trail mix is one of the most common hiking snacks to bring because it is calorically dense and nourishing for a hike without taking up much space in your pack. I learned some hiking terminology from Adrain. Apparently true hikers call trail mix, “gorp”. Fun fact! 

Gorp (aka Trail Mix) via RDelicious Kitchen
I never buy trail mix from the store. 1) because I enjoy making my own flavor combinations. 2) because in a pre-packaged trail mix there are typically overly salted nuts, sweetened fruit, and other weird ingredients.
Let’s compare my trail mix with a store bought trail mix:

My DIY trail mix:
4 ingredients
Gorp (aka Trail Mix) via RDelicious Kitchen

Pre-packaged trail mix:
laundry list of (and artificial) ingredients, more sugar, less protein

Ingredients: PEANUTS, CHOCOLATE CANDY PIECES [MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, MILK, CHOCOLATE, LACTOSE, SOY LECITHIN–EMULSIFIER, VANILLIN–ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR), SUGAR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (INCLUDES YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6, BLUE 1 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE), GUM ARABIC, CORN SYRUP, CARNAUBA WAX, BEESWAX, CONFECTIONER’S GLAZE], RAISINS, ALMONDS, COTTONSEED OIL.
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Gorp (aka Trail Mix) via RDelicious Kitchen