Spiced Quinoa Salad

This Spiced Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and nourishing Moroccan-inspired dish, packed with protein and rich flavors. It combines fluffy quinoa with a medley of spices, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing that makes it perfect for a satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

• Quinoa - 150 grams
• Water - 400 milliliters
• Chickpeas (canned) - 200 grams, drained and rinsed
• Cherry tomatoes - 150 grams, halved
• Cucumber - 1 medium, diced
• Red bell pepper - 1 medium, diced
• Red onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Fresh parsley - 30 grams, chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
• Cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

Steps

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh strainer to remove bitterness.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed.
3. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables: chop the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped parsley.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 14 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein, making it an excellent option for muscle building and repair.
• Rich in fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.

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