⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups Water or vegetable broth
• 1, diced Cucumber
• 1, diced Red bell pepper
• 1/2, thinly sliced Red onion
• 1, ripe Avocado
• 1/4 cup Lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Water
• Pinch Salt
• Pinch Black pepper
• To taste Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, or dill)

📖 Instructions

1. First, let's get cooking that quinoa! Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes saponins, which can give quinoa a slightly bitter taste. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way!
2. Next, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork when it's done. Don't overcook it or it'll get mushy, which is a tragedy.
3. While the quinoa simmers, chop your veggies. For this recipe, I suggest one cucumber, diced, one red bell pepper, diced, and half a red onion, thinly sliced. Feel free to add more or swap them out; it's your salad!
4. Now for the creamy star of the show – the avocado dressing! In a small bowl, mash one ripe avocado with a fork until smooth. Add 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until everything is well combined and you have a smooth, dreamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – this is where you get to be a culinary artist!
5. Once the quinoa has cooled slightly, gently stir in your chopped cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. I like to use a big spoon for this. It's important to be gentle; we don't want to squash the veggies.
6. Now, carefully fold in your yummy avocado dressing. You’ll want to incorporate it evenly into the salad, but don’t overmix – a few gentle folds are all it needs.
7. Taste and season the salad further if needed. Maybe a little extra lime juice or a sprinkle of salt would do the trick. This is your chance to make it your own!
8. Finally, garnish your quinoa salad with fresh herbs. I adore cilantro, but parsley or dill would also work beautifully. You could add some toasted nuts for crunch, too. Maybe some sunflower seeds or slivered almonds? Get creative!
9. Serve immediately or chill for later. Enjoy your delicious, healthy, and utterly satisfying quinoa salad!

📝 Notes

• Feel free to add other vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, or chopped green beans.
• If you prefer a thicker dressing, use less water or add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cumin or chili powder to the dressing.
• This salad is even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld together! Make a big batch!