Warm Quinoa and Vegetable Salad

This Warm Quinoa and Vegetable Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish that brings together the wholesome goodness of quinoa and fresh vegetables, all seasoned with a delightful Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect as a light meal or side dish, it's both gluten-free and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• Quinoa - 150 grams
• Water - 400 ml
• Bell pepper (red) - 1 medium, diced
• Carrot - 1 medium, julienned
• Cucumber - 1 small, diced
• Green onion - 2, chopped
• Snow peas - 100 grams, trimmed
• Sesame oil - 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce (gluten-free) - 2 tablespoons
• Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Fresh ginger - 1 teaspoon, grated
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Cilantro - a handful, chopped
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness, then combine it with 400 ml of water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the water is absorbed.
3. While the quinoa cooks, prepare the vegetables: dice the bell pepper, julienne the carrot, and dice the cucumber. Trim the snow peas and chop the green onions.
4. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add the bell pepper, carrot, and snow peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, remaining tablespoon of sesame oil, salt, and black pepper.
7. Once the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss everything to combine.
8. Remove from heat, add the chopped cucumber and green onions, and toss gently.
9. Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 54 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein and fiber, promoting satiety and digestive health.
• Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables, supporting overall wellness.

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