Healthy and Delicious Quinoa Spinach Salad Recipe

This Quinoa Spinach Salad is a perfect combination of protein-rich quinoa, fresh spinach leaves, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. Packed with nutrients, it is a light and refreshing salad that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. This easy-to-make recipe is not only delicious but also gluten-free and vegan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, roasted nuts

Directions

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
3. Add the rinsed quinoa to the boiling broth and reduce the heat to low.
4. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
5. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, fresh spinach leaves, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint.
7. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
8. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
9. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. Optional: Top the salad with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, or roasted nuts for extra flavor and texture.
11. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Interesting Facts