Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Discover the freshness of my quinoa salad: an easy blend of crunchy vegetables and light quinoa, dressed with a bright, tangy vinaigrette. Perfect for any occasion, this salad is your go-to for a burst of healthy, nutritious flavour.

  • Prep10 min
  • Cook15 min
  • Total25 min
  • Servings3

The ingredients

  • 1 black beans, 540 ml can; drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup quinoa, cooked
  • 1 cup cucumbers, chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ cup celery, chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 2 tbsp chives, chopped
  • 1 tbsp garlic, chopped

Balsamic dressing

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground fennel seeds
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

The method

  1. In a large bowl, add all the salad ingredients and mix until fully combined.
  2. In a jar, add all the dressing ingredients and mix well with a whisk or spoon.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix to coat all the ingredients well.

Storage tips

Keeps in the fridge for 4 days.

Nutrition facts

Per serving, for reference only.

  • 500Calories
  • 26 gFat
  • 50 gCarbs
  • 17 gFibre
  • 17 gProtein

Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Its high fibre content promotes healthy digestion, helps prevent constipation and supports a balanced gut microbiome.

Pine nuts contain monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. They help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol while raising HDL ("good") cholesterol.

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