In this series, I have already shared two salad recipes by now and this is the third one and it clearly shows that I am a big fan of salads. The main ingredient of our recipe today is Quinoa. You must have heard a lot about quinoa and its benefits. But have you tried it yet?
First time when I tried quinoa, I didn’t like the taste as it was slightly bitter. It has a nutty flavour to it. The trick is to wash it properly before using. Quinoa contains a substance called Saponin which gives it this bitter flavour. When you wash it properly, saponin comes out and you can reduce the bitterness. I cook it on a pan with little oil before using to bring out the nutty flavour and to remove the bitterness.
Quinoa is a seed/grain with high protein content as it has all nine amino acids present in it. It is rich in fiber, iron, and magnesium. It can be easily used in salads, porridges and even any dish where you use rice. Just substitute rice with quinoa. For cooking use double water just like how you cook rice but it cooks faster than rice.
Quinoa keeps you energetic due to the presence of iron, magnesium, and fiber in it. It is gluten free and cholesterol free.
Today we are making Quinoa vegetable salad which is very easy to make. You can use any salad vegetables which you like and even you can add roasted chicken to it if you are a non-vegetarian.
It is a complete meal in itself and a light and healthy lunch option.
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cucumber finely diced
- 2 cherry tomatoes
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup zucchini chopped (yellow and green)
- ½ cup capsicum diced (different colors)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- First of all wash quinoa nicely with free water to remove the bitterness.
- Boil water in a pan and add quinoa and cook like how you cook rice. Just check that it is soft and well cooked.
- Now drain quinoa and rinse under cold running water. Keep aside.
- Chop and dice all the vegetables you are using for the salad.
- Add quinoa and stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, zucchini, carrots, and capsicum.
- Lastly add salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon. Toss it nicely and serve fresh.
You can even make quinoa pulao, quinoa porridge and use it in soups and burgers.
Make sure you cook it properly to remove the bitterness.
You can even add nuts to your salads.
Read here – My A to Z challenge posts 2017
Find out more – Nutrition tips and nutritional recipes
Read my theme reveal post here.
I am sharing 26 healthy recipes under 30 minutes full this month.
See the recipes till now –
A for Apple coconut squares
B for a Bracing burger
C for Carrot walnut muffins
D for Dhokla with a twist
E for Eggless Pancake
F for Fruit chocolate pops
G for Gluten-free Spinach and rice balls
H for Honey strawberry milkshake
I for Instant paneer tikka
J for Jaggery Dates chutney
K for Kale grilled sandwich
L for Lemon cranberry mojito
M for Mango brown rice salad
N for Nutritious party crackers
O for Oats beetroot Dosa
P for Pineapple Pomegranate Parfait
April 19, 2018 at 9:21 am
I love this bowl of rich salad deepa. Will surely try. I make kichdi.
April 19, 2018 at 9:43 am
Such a healthy, and pretty looking salad, Deepa!
April 19, 2018 at 10:50 am
That was a great tip on reducing the bitterness of quinoa. Another great recipe Deepa
April 19, 2018 at 11:36 am
That’s interesting and innovative salad recipe . The term quinoa is new to me . But I would try it for sure. Thanks for your wonderful recipes
April 19, 2018 at 6:32 pm
I am still to develop a taste for Quinoa. i agree it tens to be a bit better, and that taste works as a hindrance for me in terms of making anything with it.
April 19, 2018 at 7:04 pm
I have never tried quinoa, looks like a must try salad, your tips would surely be very helpful.
April 19, 2018 at 7:16 pm
That is a bowl full of health. Where can we find Quinoa??
April 19, 2018 at 8:07 pm
You can get it at any grocery store or order online.Its available on Amazon too.
April 19, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Ohkay thanks. Will try.
April 19, 2018 at 8:17 pm
I was wondering if you will write some menu with Quinoa today 🙂 Awesome recipe as always easy and simple
April 19, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Colourful, inviting, healthy and exotic dish!
April 19, 2018 at 9:58 pm
So I am already visualising this ebook of these recipes Deepa which I will review and name the post as – Perks of having a dietician friend ?
April 19, 2018 at 10:41 pm
This looks a bit like laapsi. Bitter? I don’t think I’m gonna like it too much then? But it certainly looks colourful and pleasing to the eyes!
April 19, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Love this vibrant and colourful salad. And that it is healthy makes it all the more appealing!!
April 20, 2018 at 9:25 am
I love quinoa, it’s such a good source of protein. I’m saving this for hot summer days.
October 2, 2018 at 6:21 am
Thank you for this recipe- we’re looking to add more of a variety to our meals and we’ve yet to try Quinoa. This looks delicious and not extremely difficult to make.
October 2, 2018 at 7:07 am
I have never had quinoa before but this salad looks good. I definitely need more iron in my diet. Thanks for the recipe!
October 2, 2018 at 8:44 am
Healthy, colorful, and delicious, my kind of salad. Thanks for sharing.
October 2, 2018 at 9:09 am
This is such a quick and healthy recipe.Will make this for a weekday lunch.Quinoa does need washing thoroughly.
October 2, 2018 at 10:12 am
I know Quinoa, but have never tried it. Never thought of it as so nutritious. Will have to try this one day.
October 2, 2018 at 10:50 pm
We are big quinoa fans in this house. This is a great light lunch idea.
October 2, 2018 at 11:36 pm
I love quinoa! Thanks for the pinnable recipe. 😀
October 2, 2018 at 11:47 pm
Yes please!! I love quinoa, it is super nice. Also, a perfect paring with veggies and peppers, just yummy x
October 3, 2018 at 3:26 am
I like eating veggies, but I think it is a great idea to add the quinoa to it for a more fibrous meal. I like when other people make salads with quinoa, but I don’t think to do it myself. I always have it in the house, but don’t cook it as much as I should. Now that I am trying to cut down on the carbs that I eat from white flours and pasta, I will cook more quinoa to also benefit from the macro nutrients it also has!
October 3, 2018 at 8:50 am
I tried Quinoa once before but did not like the taste.May be I will use your trick to decrease its bitterness.Overall seems like a very healthy recipe.
October 3, 2018 at 10:57 pm
I used to hate the concept of quinoa, and mispronounced it, until about a year ago. Then, I saw the light and have never turned back. I’m always looking for new recipes for it. So, thank you!