At this time of year there really is nothing better than a warm roast salad packed with autumnal flavours and textures. This roast vegetable and tofu salad is perfectly filled with just that; curly kale, crispy cauliflower, warm roast butternut squash and tofu topped with the crunch of pumpkin seeds and sweetness of pomegranate dressed in a creamy tahini, maple and miso dressing. There's so many flavours but trust me, it works.

The dressing on its own is a great one to meal prep and can be stored in the fridge (just add a little water to thin if it becomes thicker after storing) but the whole salad can also be prepped ready for the week. It's been a staple meal for me recently. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It's best to store without the pomegranate and pumpkin seeds to keep that *crunch*. You don't want a soggy salad :/. 

Not only is this a hit for the taste buds but also the gut- it is packed with nutrients. It's high in fibre, protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, anti-oxidants, phytonutrients and contains probiotics; you name it, it’s got it!! The cauliflower and butternut squash provide a good source of complex carbohydrates and along with the kale and pumpkin seeds provide fibre. Tofu is a good source of protein (if you don’t like tofu you can always sub this for chickpeas or even chicken). Pumpkin seeds are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as manganese, zinc, phosphorus and vitamin K which are important for wound healing and immune function. Pomegranate seeds contain phytonutrients, which gives them their bright colour. These plant nutrients are important for feeding our gut microbes. The dressing is packed with healthy fats from the tahini and olive oil. Miso is a fermented food that contains probiotics to help improve your gut diversity and therefore help digestion and gut function.

This is a nutrition powerhouse of a salad and perfect for this time of year when its getting a little colder and our immune systems need a little boost to get us through the changing seasons. It's become a go to for me and I hope it does for you too. Enjoy!!