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Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad

Fresh Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad: Zesty, Colorful, and Gluten-Free

This Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad is a colorful and nutritious dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for meal prep.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 cup quinoa Rinse before cooking
  • 1 red bell pepper Chopped
  • 1 cucumber Chopped
  • 1 medium carrot Shredded
  • 2 green onions Sliced
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro Chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped peanuts Use sunflower seeds for nut-free option
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds Optional
For the Dressing
  • ¼ cup soy sauce Use gluten-free if needed
  • 1 lime lime juice Juice the fresh lime
  • 2 tablespoons honey Can swap for maple syrup for vegan option
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil Substitute with olive oil if preferred
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger Grated
  • 1 clove garlic Minced
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Fine Mesh Sieve
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • small bowl
  • whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Serving Spoon

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve for about 2 minutes to remove any bitter coating.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. While the quinoa cools, chop 1 red bell pepper and 1 cucumber, shred 1 medium carrot, slice green onions, and chop fresh cilantro.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, juice from 1 lime, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, fresh ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chopped vegetables, ¼ cup chopped peanuts, and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
  6. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For meal prep, the salad stays fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Re-toss before serving.

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