Quinoa Mix With Sauteed Kale

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Place vinegar and cherries in a small saucepot and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let sit until cherries are plump and tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.

Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and place halved shallot on top, cut side up. Lightly drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and rub it in with your hands on all sides. Lightly season cut side with a couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Transfer to oven and cook until soft and lightly caramelized around edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to saucepot with cherries.

Add the quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of the stock to the saucepot with cherries and shallot, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until quinoa has popped, 15 minutes. Turn off heat and keep lid on for another 5 minutes before removing lid and fluffing quinoa with a fork.

In a large sauté pan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add kale and a pinch of salt and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add cranberries and 1/4 cup chicken stock and cook until liquid has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.

Place quinoa on a serving platter, top with cooked kale, and garnish with almonds. Serve immediately.