Wayfinder Inspired Cooking: Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Grain Bowl — Inspired Cooking

### Wayfinder's Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea Grain Bowl Whether you're gearing up for a daily trek or refueling after a long journey, this vibrant grain bowl delivers a satisfying balance of flavor, texture, and wholesome energy. --- ### Quick Metrics * **Difficulty:** 3/10 (Anyone can make it!) * **Time required:** 30 minutes (It'll be done before your favorite sitcom wraps up!) * **Cost:** Cheap (Suitable for university students and budget-conscious cooks!) --- ### Functional Food Focus Incorporating functional foods like whole grains, vegetables, and nuts or seeds into your recipes provides health benefits beyond meeting basic nutrition needs. Foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and nuts can help reduce your risk for developing chronic illnesses like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer when integrated into meals where health benefits outweigh negative components such as added sugar and excess salt. --- ### Ingredients * 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed into 1/2-inch pieces * 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted thoroughly dry * 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice * 1 tbsp olive oil * 1/2 tsp smoked paprika * 1/2 tsp ground cumin * 1/4 tsp salt * 1/2 ripe avocado, sliced * 1 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) * 2 tbsp lemon-tahini dressing (tahini mixed with fresh lemon juice, warm water, and a pinch of salt) --- ### Cooking Instructions 1. **Preheat & Prep:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. **Season Ingredients:** In a bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes and dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and salt until evenly coated. 3. **Roast:** Spread the sweet potatoes and chickpeas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chickpeas are crisp. 4. **Assemble the Bowl:** Base your bowl with the cooked quinoa or brown rice.