Immune Boosting Toasted Quinoa Salad (Printable Version)
Nutrient-rich toasted quinoa with fresh vegetables, herbs, and immune-supporting ingredients in a bright citrus-turmeric dressing.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
07 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
→ Immune Boosters
08 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
09 - 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
→ Dressing
12 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
13 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
14 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
18 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - Salt to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Toast the quinoa in a dry saucepan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells nutty.
02 - Add water or broth to the quinoa, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, garlic, maple syrup or honey, turmeric, black pepper, and salt to make the dressing.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, spinach, red onion, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, parsley, and mint.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The toasted quinoa develops this incredible nutty depth that store-bought never captures, completely transforming what could be a boring grain into something you actually crave.
- You can toss this together on Sunday and your lunch is sorted for days, with the flavors actually improving overnight as everything marinates together.
02 -
- Never skip toasting the quinoa first - I once rushed and omitted this step, and the difference was so noticeable that my partner asked if I had changed the recipe entirely.
- Adding the dressing while the quinoa is still slightly warm helps it absorb all those immune-boosting flavors much better than if youve chilled it completely.
03 -
- The black pepper in the dressing isnt just for flavor - it contains piperine which dramatically increases your bodys ability to absorb the curcumin in turmeric, boosting its immune-supporting properties.
- Toast extra quinoa in batches and store it dry in your pantry - it maintains that nutty flavor and cuts your prep time in half for future salads.