Description
A refreshing and healthy Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad packed with vibrant vegetables, crunchy peanuts, and a flavorful sesame-lime dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, this salad combines fluffy quinoa with fresh bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, and aromatic herbs for a nutritious and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and all the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with diced red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well blended and smooth.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly but gently to ensure the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature as a refreshing and healthy meal.
Notes
- For added protein, consider mixing in cooked chicken or tofu.
- You can substitute the peanuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Adjust the lime juice and honey to taste for a sweeter or tangier dressing.
