Warm Quinoa Roasted Cauliflower Salad (Printable Version)

Hearty quinoa and roasted cauliflower with zesty lemon, fresh herbs, and toasted nuts for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 1 small red onion, sliced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
05 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
08 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Herbs & Additions

12 - 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
14 - 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pistachios, roughly chopped
15 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss cauliflower florets and red onion slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until cauliflower is golden and tender.
04 - Bring quinoa and water (or broth) to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil, lemon zest and juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
06 - In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted cauliflower and onions, cherry tomatoes, parsley, mint, and nuts. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to combine.
07 - Top with crumbled feta cheese if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm quinoa absorbs the bright lemon dressing creating tiny flavor explosions in every bite
  • Roasted cauliflower gets sweet and nutty in the oven turning a humble vegetable into something crave worthy
  • This salad keeps beautifully for days making it the ultimate meal prep companion
02 -
  • Letting the quinoa rest covered after cooking is crucial it finishes steaming and becomes perfectly fluffy
  • Tossing the salad while the quinoa and vegetables are still warm helps them absorb the dressing more deeply
  • The mint might seem unusual but it is what makes this taste distinctly Mediterranean instead of just another grain bowl
03 -
  • Space your cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet without overcrowding to achieve maximum caramelization
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad adjusting the lemon or salt as needed
  • Toast your nuts in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding for an extra fragrant crunch

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