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Za'atar Sweet Potatoes and Garlicky Kale

4.3

(9)

Vegan dish with cubes of sweet potato tossed with sliced wilted kale and sesamestudded za'atar on a dinner plate.
Za'atar Sweet Potatoes and Garlicky KalePhoto by Nicole Franzen

This recipe is in the Mains chapter of my cookbook, but I have to say, I've eaten it at all times of day. It's made it to my breakfast table, and I've definitely whipped it up for a weekend lunch. After I eat it, I always feel so nourished and happy—and my body seems to love me for that. The spices are definitely what make this dish so special.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 2–4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon sumac
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 medium-size sweet potatoes, cut into cubes (about 4 cups)
Olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bunch kale, destemmed and roughly chopped (about 6 cups)
Sea salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

    Step 2

    To make the za'atar, first toast the sesame seeds. In a small dry pan, heat the seeds over medium for 3 to 5 minutes, until they're lightly browned. Stir occasionally, so they don't burn. Let them cool. In a small bowl, combine the sumac, thyme, sesame seeds, and salt.

    Step 3

    Fill a medium pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and parboil them (cook them just until they start to soften). This will take 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a medium bowl. Toss them with a glug of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the za'atar seasoning until coated.

    Step 4

    Spread the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and roast them for 10 minutes. Using a spatula, move them around on the baking sheet and continue roasting for another 5 minutes or until they begin to slightly brown.

    Step 5

    Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the remaining za'atar and set it aside.

    Step 6

    In a large skillet, heat a glug of olive oil over medium. When the pan is hot, add the garlic. Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant, about a minute. Add the greens and stir until they turn bright green and begin to soften. Add the sweet potatoes and heat everything for a few more minutes.

    Step 7

    Top the vegetables with some of the za'atar and oil mixture and serve.

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From One Part Plant: A Simple Guide to Eating Real, One Meal at a Time © 2017 by Jessica Murnane. Reprinted with permission by Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Buy the full book from HarperCollins or from Amazon.

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