Perfectly Balanced: A Delicious Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe

A healthy, flavorful vegan quinoa salad is a great addition to your meal plan. This versatile dish can be enjoyed as a standalone lunch or paired with grilled chicken for dinner. The vibrant colors and diverse textures make it visually appealing and packed with nutrients. Preparing this recipe requires minimal time and ingredients. Here's how you can create this delightful vegan quinoa salad at home.

For 4 servings, you will need:

• 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 a red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• Lemon juice to taste
• A handful of fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Time: 30 minutes including prep time.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the quinoa salad base: Start by rinsing the uncooked quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

2. Let it cool: Remove from heat and let the quinoa cool slightly before fluffing it up with a fork. Set aside to cool completely.

3. Prepare the vegetables: While the quinoa is cooking, slice and dice all your ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and avocado. Be sure everything is finely chopped for even distribution in the salad.

4. Mix it together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with the diced vegetables. Add lemon juice to taste and season with salt and pepper. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with seasoning.

5. Garnish and serve: For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some fresh parsley or cilantro on top. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor or chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Tips & Variations:

To enhance this recipe further: You can add other ingredients such as black beans, corn kernels, or even some crumbled vegan cheese. If you want to make it a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken breast for an extra protein boost.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

The approximate nutritional content per serving of this quinoa salad is as follows:

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 8g
• Vitamin A: 195% of the RDI
• Vitamin C: 260% of the RDI
• Folate: 74% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 36% of the RDI
• Beta-Carotene: 185% of the RDI
• Copper: 23% of the RDI

Enjoy this delicious and nutritious vegan quinoa salad as part of your balanced diet. It's a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your meals while enjoying a meal that is both satisfying and light.

Conclusion:

This versatile and simple recipe allows you to enjoy the health benefits of quinoa along with a variety of colorful vegetables. Not only does it taste great, but it also provides essential vitamins and minerals that support overall well-being. Feel free to experiment by adding new ingredients or adjusting seasonings according to your preferences.