No?
Let me help you navigate through the bane of my existence: folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher and packing/unpacking for travels.
It’s minute and so boring.
Boring aside, let me tell you what I’d rather do: daydream about walking through the night markets in Kuala Lumpur while savoring delicious street foods with my family. Or visiting my childhood friend that I’ve known for more than 25 years now.
Time flies, savor it as much as you can.
Take this salad for example. Before you know it, autumn is gone, pumpkin and squash is no longer significant. Put the laundry, dishes and packing on hold. Make use of the day old bread and squashes lying around, begging for attention.
And before you know it, there’s a big bowl of autumn salad so flavorful, you’d want autumn to linger.
Forever.
Apart from slathering pumpkin butter over toasted pumpkin beer bread — why not try toasting and cubing up the leftovers? Instead of tossing it with oil and baking it to make croutons, toasting does the same job as well! Without the unnecessary added fat. Toss it into this salad, and of course, with some pumpkin beer in tow.
Too much of pumpkin? Never. It’s NEVER too much when it comes to pumpkin.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium beets, quartered
- pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 small squash (i used sweet dumpling & gold acorn), sliced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 3 handfuls of tender greens
- 3 thick slices of pumpkin beer bread (or any bread), toasted and cubed
- some pepita seeds
Maple Dijon Vinaigrette:
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp walnut oil
- 2 tbsp extra virgin oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line two baking sheet’s with parchment paper. Throw on quartered beets on one and toss it with pinch of salt, black pepper and 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast it for 45 minutes.
- Meantime, add sliced squash in a huge bowl. Toss it with the rest of ingredients (olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and cinnamon) and spread it onto the second baking sheet. Roast it for 20 minutes, in 400F.
- Remove roasted veggies from oven to cool.
- Add vinaigrette ingredients into a mason jar, secure the top and shake vigorously to emulsify.
- In a large salad bowl, add tender salad greens, cubed toasted pumpkin beer bread, cooled roasted veggies and drizzle on some vinaigrette. Toss to coat. Serve at room temperature garnished with pepita seeds.
- Enjoy!
Have a great week, friends. I’m off to Malaysia and India today. Can’t wait to spend time with the family. It’s been a while and there’s so much catching up to do!
See you from the other side of the world!!
What’s your favorite recipe to utilize day-old bread?
Comments on this entry are closed.
have safe travels. Cant wait to hear about your trip <3
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted..Easy, Homemade, Lard-Free Refried Beans #slowcooker
Dixya — thanks love 🙂
Looks delicious kiran !! I spent my weekend cleaning the house too. I love this autumn salad. Have a safe trip !! Happy journey 🙂
sowmya recently posted..Gobi Butter Masala
How exciting, enjoy with family and chat up a lot. Hugs.
Ash — thanks so much, sweetie 🙂 Hugs!
Sowmya — thanks so much, friend 🙂
Wish you a safe trip and a great stay with your family. Enjoy every bit of it, Kiran!
Daniela @ Foodrecipeshq recently posted..Pasta alla Norma
Daniela — thank you so much!! i’d do that, for sure 🙂 xo
Wow! What a gorgeous autumn salad, Kiran!!!! Pinned!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Chicken Stew in a Pumpkin Shell (Frango na Moranga)
Denise — thank you so much, friend! xoxo
That is just gorgeous, and so healthy!
Sommer@ASP recently posted..Bacon Wrapped Veggie Bundles
Sommer — thanks love 🙂
this is by far the BEST salad ever! and stunning photos
Heather @ French Press recently posted..The Peanut Butter Cup
Heather — no way!! you are too sweet 😀
I feel all dreamy when I stepped into your space here! : ) What a great idea to dry toast your pumpkin bread and use in the salad here. The maple ginger vinaigrette sounds lovely too.
Monica recently posted..Marble cupcakes
Monica — thanks so much, friend. I just can’t fathom the idea of bitting into croutons that are soaked in oil or butter.
Lovely recipe 🙂 safe travels and have a great time!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted..Zopako Bread Recipe
A beautiful autumn panzanella! Colorful and surely mighty delicious. Fabulous shots, as always.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa! Hope you are keeping well 🙂
This is such a pretty autumn looking salad! Have a great trip Kiran, it will be so nice that you will get to spend some time with your family:)
Kelly recently posted..Vietnamese Pho – Beef Rice Noodle Soup (Pho Bo)
Kelly — thanks sweetie, hope you are keeping well 🙂
What a lovely salad Kiran! This would go really well on our Thanksgiving table.. Have a fantastic trip!
Maria | Pink Patisserie recently posted..Brown Butter, Amaretto and Pear Crumble
Maria — thank you so much and hope this recipe sits on your Thanksgiving table this year 🙂
Bon voyage! Have a great trip Kiran! Thanks for this gorgeous salad, all the autumn flavours in one neat package.
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Pumpkin Tiramisu
Nazneen — thanks so much, love 🙂
Love this salad… I can eat bowls of this !!!
Shema | LifeScoops recently posted..Crepe Cake with Blackberry Schnapps Chocolate Mousse
Shema — me too 😉
Have a safe and wonderful trip, I cannot wait to hear about it!
Lovely salad, as always! I wish it was tomorrow’s lunch! x
Consuelo — it’s never to late for tomorrows lunch! thanks, sweetie 🙂
Have a great trip! We’ll be eager to hear all about it. And eager to try this salad, too. So many great fall flavors! Love it. Thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Hashed Brussels Sprouts
Thanks so much, John!
Hope you have a super awesome trip my friend 😀
Cheers
CCU
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Candy & Our Winner!
Thank you so much, Uru! You are way too sweet, my friend 🙂
a warm and delicious salad…great way to celebrate autumn before it flies away…absolutely loved the vinaigrette,thanks for sharing 🙂
Kumar’s Kitchen recently posted..Sweet Sensations : Suji Halwa, Semolina Fudge With Rose, Nuts & Cardamom 🙂
Thanks Kumar, glad you loved this recipe 🙂
Happy Travelling!!! Sure there will be lots of charming smiles, warm welcome, chats and laughs to catch up with and hope u have a great time with your family and friends.
Lovely looking autumn salad. Pumpkins are not my favourite, but I think you’ve got the ability to make me a convert!
Mallika recently posted..Mawa Gujjia
Mallika — thank you so much, friend! please convert 😉
Delicious and beautiful as always! I love this fall perfect salad.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Mega Healthy Oat Pearsauce Bread
Thanks Angie! Have a great weekend 🙂
Amazing pictures (as usual)…So tempting salad,nice way to use the leftover pumpkin…Happy fall:) 🙂
BTW…which camera u use?
shweta a recently posted..Mixed Sprouts Paratha- Healthy Indian Flat Bread
Shweta — thanks so much! i’m using a basic beginner DSLR Nikon D5000, with a 50mm 1.8 prime lens. it should never be about the camera or lens 🙂
I’m enjoying following your travels on IG…and I wish I had a plate of this lovely Fall inspired salad right now 😉
Patty recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake and a cookbook Giveaway
Patty — thank you and I’m so glad you are enjoying my IG feeds 🙂
It’s always such a temptation just looking at the gorgeous pics…..and then I’m craving for this pumpkin recipe and want to try it ASAP:)
Kiran, you make each seasonal ingredient look so inviting.
Daniela recently posted..Lean and tender: Roasted Pork Fillet With Cranberries
Daniela — thank you so much, my friend! your thoughtful and generous comments always make my day 🙂
Such a beautiful salad, Kiran!
Lizzy (Good Things) recently posted..Heston’s Fantastical Food DVD Giveaway
Thanks Lizzy 🙂
great option for a weeknight meal. Love the colors
simi recently posted..Mulled apple cider chai
Simi — thank you so much 🙂
I was just telling Ryan how much I HATE laundry. My least favorite for sure. I wish I could just cook all day! And this salad? So good! Thank you for sharing. A delicious end to a long Thursday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Monet recently posted..Feeling FALL
Monet — I’m with you. Wish I could just cook, style and shoot all day long. The rest of chores seems so mundane.
And of course, play with Lucy. That’s a huge bonus 😀
So so flavorful – yum!!!
Jordan — thank you so much 🙂
This is such a beautiful autumn salad. Have a wonderful trip!
Amy (Savory Moments) recently posted..Chana masala
Amy — thank you so much 🙂
These treats look ridiculously tasty
cquek recently posted..SQ To Haneda Airport- Yokohama , DIY Travel Itinerary 2013
Cquek — thank you and I love you refer salads as treats 😀
Great idea to use up bread. Have a good trip. Until then..Have fun dreaming and packing 🙂
Shruti@Part Time Chef recently posted..Poppy seed kissed Sweet Pumpkin fritters
Shruti — thank you!!
Have a wonderful trip Kiran! The salad looks so tempting and delicious. Your photography is gorgeous!
Asmita recently posted..Elf Cookies
Thank you so much, Asmita 🙂
Oh man, this salad is just gorgeous! I LOVE all the fall flavors you have going on in here! And the photos are just so beautiful! Happy Friday!
Ashley recently posted..Thanksgiving Menu and Preparations 2013
Ashley — thanks girl! it has become one of my favorite salads 🙂
Laundry is one of my favorite chores to do – I just love the smell of clean clothes and of course, to make sure everything’s clean as soon as possible. I miss the night markets in Kuala Lumpur, and love the vegetarian foods there, too. Such gorgeous autumn salad with the beautiful squash! I love using old bread as croutons or garlic bread in soups.
Rika — i love doing laundry too, but when it comes to putting it away, i get so lazy 😀
colorful and yummy looking salad
Gayathri recently posted..Puran Poli | Paruppu Poli Recipe | Obbatu – Indian Festival Recipe
Gayathri — thanks so much!!
Are you able to sleep at night with all those awesome ideas stored in your head and heart?!
Outstanding recipe and …. I’ve run out of words for your pictures. Beautiful, pretty, dreamy, marvelous, surreal…these words won’t do justice to your photography.
You are a treasure!
nusrat2010 recently posted..The Marchant of Happiness
Sound like my day, lol! It can be boring and monotonous.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..15 Tasty Brunch Ideas
Panzanella salad is a favorite of mine. Love the squash and beets in here — yum!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..15 Tasty Brunch Ideas
I love a hearty chunky salad like that
Raymund recently posted..Chinese Five Spice Chicken Wings
Beautiful salad! Roasted squash and maple dijon vinaigrette… sounds really great for salad. I enjoyed your travel photos on IG!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Yellowtail Roll (Negihama Maki) ネギハマ巻き