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4 MINS delivery
Quinoa Salad
Serves 4
20 mins
220 Kcal
A quinoa salad is a healthy, colourful dish that has become very popular for being a healthy choice for meals and snacks. It is full of protein, fibre, and crucial nutrients, making it perfect for anyone looking for a light yet satisfying meal. Try this healthy quinoa salad recipe today. The core of quinoa salad is quinoa itself- it's a really small, grain-like seed that's gluten-free with a complete protein profile, so it's found to be perfect for vegetarians and vegans. The quinoa is usually cooked until fluffy, then cooled before being mixed up with various fresh, colourful vegetables. Other primary ingredients include diced cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and avocados, with all contributing characteristic crisp textures and flavours. To add flavour, a zesty dressing over the salad is usually drizzled. These include olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or a mix of herbs and spices like cilantro, parsley, or garlic to add that refreshing zing that goes with quinoa and vegetables. Here's a nutritious recipe of quinoa salad. Other ingredients may be added to give it another dimension of flavour, such as feta cheese, nuts, or seeds, to create a satiating crunch as well as give it a better nutritional profile. Quinoa salad can be made in a style that makes it delicious or can be made according to the flavours of the season and ingredients. It could be served as a light meal, as a side, and will go well in lunchboxes or into a potluck. Being a nutritional powerhouse with great variety in texture, flavour, and colour, quinoa salad is a delight for both your taste buds and healthy living. Every bite is infused with this feeling of freshness, making it a wonderful addition to any table.
Ingredients required for Quinoa Salad
- 200 gms quinoa
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- Black pepper powder
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tomato
- Coriander
Cooking steps for Quinoa Salad
- 1Being very nutritious and refreshing, quinoa salad is perfect for any occasion, be it a light lunch, for being served as a side dish, or in its main course.
- 2Quinoa has so much protein, vitamins, and minerals that it acts as an excellent base for a variety of fresh vegetables. The recipe given below is simple and quick to make while bursting with flavours that will tease your taste buds.
- 3Begin by washing 200 gms of quinoa under running water. This is because the saponin coating natural to quinoa, if not removed, would impart bitterness to it. So wash until the water clears, drain out the quinoa, and squeeze out excess water.
- 4Prepare 500 ml of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Then add the rinsed quinoa and a pinch of salt into the boiling water.
- 5Once the quinoa is put in, lower the heat and cover the saucepan with a lid, which is left to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- 6The quinoa starts to absorb the water and becomes soft. Once cooked and fluffed with a fork, separate the grains by cooling them to room temperature, which helps prepare the texture to mix up well with the vegetables as well.
- 7Prepare the fresh vegetables while the quinoa cools down.
- 8Mix cooked quinoa in a large mixing bowl with chopped cucumber, tomato, onion, and green pepper. colourful vegetables will add colour, crunchiness, and a wide variety of nutrients to the salad.
- 9To flavour, use a handful of coriander leaves, which are chopped. That herb will add freshness along with a appetizing aroma that enhances the appearance of other ingredients.
- 10Get your dressing ready to be the flavour booster of your salad. In a separate small bowl, whisk two tablespoons of lemon juice for a bright citrus taste and two tablespoons of olive oil for the richness.
- 11Add one teaspoon of cumin powder, which gives warmth and earthiness, and have salt and black pepper to taste. Mix until your dressing is incorporated and emulsified.
- 12Pour the prepared dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture into a large bowl. Toss together very gently, coaxing the quinoa and vegetables into clothes and dressing well. This is the final step for you because it allows all the flavours to infuse into each other so that each piece is bursting with flavour.
- 13After all the mixing is done, it is best to chill the salad for at least 30 minutes. This chilling will make the dressing mix properly into the flavours to provide an enhanced taste. It also serves as a refreshing dish, especially on warm days. It makes the quinoa absorb the dressing while chilling, giving a more flavourful salad.
- 14Once chilled to a sufficient level, the salad can be served in each of the individual bowls or on a large platter. The colourful mix of vegetables with the fluffy quinoa makes for a very pleasing presentation. It is good as a light meal or as a complement to other grilled meats or seafood.
- 15Quinoa salad is a versatile dish and also pretty convenient, as it is always stored well in the refrigerator. Use whatever combination of vegetables you want, but I added some feta cheese, olives, and chickpeas for plenty more flavour.
- 16It's an amazing side dish or light lunch that you're going to love having around the family and friends. Enjoy the delightful mixing of textures and flavours in this healthy, vibrant dish.