1 bunch of beets, including fresh looking greensOlive oil for cooking 4 scallions, white and light green parts 1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa 1 small avocado, diced 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds

Tahini Dressing 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 to 2 teasponons honey, depending on desired sweetness 3 tablespoons water, or as needed A hefty pinch of salt and pepper 1 clove of garlic, finely minced 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Cut the greens from the beets at their stem. Rub a bit of olive oil on the skin of the beets, sprinkle with salt and wrap them all in a foil pack. Set on the middle oven rack and cook for 45-55 minutes until you can easily piece through with a knife. Set them aside to cool.

While the beets roast, clean and dry the greens. Chop off and discard the long red stems. Chop the greens and put them in a large mixing bowl.

To prepare the dressing, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, vinegar, honey and water. Mix in the garlic, hearty pinch of salt and pepper and drizzle in the olive oil while whisking. Add more water if you prefer it thinner. Mix in the chives. Adjust to your taste and set aside.

Once the beets are cool enough to touch, you should be able to just push the skin off with your fingers. Use a paring knife to help it along. Dice the peeled beets. Thinly slice the scallions. Add the beets, scallions, quinoa and avocado to the mixing bowl and toss with a generous amount of dressing (note: the salad will turn pink from the beets. If this bothers you, you can toss everything without the diced beets, and sprinkle them on top). Sprinkle in the sunflower seeds, give it one more toss.

From sproutedkitchen.com