Quinoa Power Salad (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa paired with roasted veggies, chickpeas, and creamy tahini-lemon dressing for a vibrant dish.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Roasted Vegetables

03 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, chopped
06 - 1 medium carrot, sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Base

10 - 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Tahini-Lemon Dressing

13 - 1/4 cup tahini
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water (to thin)
19 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# How To Make It:

01 - Set the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine diced bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and sliced carrot with olive oil, salt, and black pepper; spread evenly on the baking sheet.
03 - Roast the vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized; allow to cool slightly.
04 - In a medium saucepan, bring quinoa and water or broth to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup (or honey), minced garlic, salt, and water until smooth and creamy.
06 - In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa, roasted vegetables, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and parsley. Drizzle with tahini-lemon dressing and gently toss to combine.
07 - Serve warm or chilled, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It keeps you genuinely satisfied without that heavy afternoon slump.
  • Roasting the vegetables creates a sweetness that makes the whole thing taste indulgent, not virtuous.
  • You can throw it together on a busy day and feel proud about what you're eating.
02 -
  • Under-cooking the vegetables means they'll taste raw and unpleasant; the caramelization is what makes them taste like something special.
  • If your dressing breaks or separates, add water a tablespoon at a time while whisking steadily until it smooths back out.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in the fridge—it stays good for almost a week and saves you time when you need lunch fast.
  • If you prep the components ahead, wait to combine and dress until you're ready to eat, or the vegetables will release water and get soggy after an hour.
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