Quinoa Salad Recipe

Quinoa is a kind of grain that is an excellent source of protein and is therefore an ideal choice for vegetarian people. It is also high in phosphorus as well as fiber and having quinoa in the form of salad is one of the best way to have quinoa. There are many ways of cooking quinoa. Quinoa salad is quite easy to make and it is very healthy too. Here we will show you how to make quinoa salad with three different recipes.

Recipe # 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 medium-sized zucchini, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped fine
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Method

Wash the quinoa with water and place it inside a small pan. Add two cups of water into the pan and heat it over the flame along with a bit of salt. Cook the quinoa for around 10 to 15 minutes until all the water is absorbed. Transfer the cooked quinoa in a medium-sized platter. In another frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add the chopped zucchini and chopped bell pepper and saute them for about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper and cook them until they are tender and soft. Add this cooked zucchini and bell pepper to the quinoa and mix them thoroughly. Now add the rest of the olive oil along with the chopped parsley, lemon juice and pepper. Mix everything together with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed.

Recipe # 2

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups quinoa
• 200 g tofu, cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 150 g frozen baby lima beans
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• 2 tablespoons mustard paste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup spring onions, sliced
• 4 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil

Method

In a saucepan, heat the chicken stock and add the quinoa grains into it. Cover with a lid and simmer at a low heat until all the stock is absorbed and the quinoa is tender and translucent. Remove from heat and keep it aside. In a small frying pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and fry the tofu cubes until it is golden brown in color. Remove from heat and let it cool. Fry the lima beans in a bit of oil and add it to the quinoa.

In a small bowl, mix two tablespoons of olive oil, mustard paste, salt, minced garlic, lemon juice, sugar, lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper and chopped basil. Whisk all these ingredients together until they are well combined. Pour this mixture over the quinoa and also add the fried tofu. Stir the mixture well and serve it in a platter. This is one of the best quinoa salad as it has a complexity of flavor and texture and the addition of lima beans increases the nutrition quotient.

Recipe # 3

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 red onion, chopped fine
• ¼ cup coriander chopped
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• ¼ cup tahini paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ tablespoon sea salt
• zest of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

Method

Wash the quinoa in running water and put inside a saucepan with water. Cover the saucepan with a lid and cook the quinoa on a low heat until the water is absorbed and the quinoa has fluffed up. Take a small bowl and add the tahini paste, olive oil, sea salt, crushed garlic, lemon zest and juice. Whisk it together until it is all well combined and add a bit of water if the mixture is too thick.

Now toss the quinoa with the chopped red onion, chopped coriander and the beans. Pour the tahini dressing and mix everything well. Add more salt if required and garnish with a sprig of coriander.

So these were some recipes of quinoa salad that you can easily make at home and serve it to your family and friends. Quinoa salad is healthy and nutritious and they taste delicious as well.