Recipe: Asian Confetti Quinoa Salad with Almonds

by JJ Virgin on May 31, 2017

No food is perfect, but quinoa sure comes close!

Quinoa is a superfood seed with incredible nutritional impact. It’s high in protein, fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and it’s versatile enough to serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Some tips for quinoa prep: be sure to rinse it before cooking to remove the bitter outer hull. If you’re short on time, pre-cooked frozen quinoa is available in the frozen foods aisle in most large grocery store chains or health food stores.

Asian Confetti Quinoa Salad with Almonds joins Shrimp Summer Rolls with Tamari-Ginger Dipping Sauce; Vietnamese Chicken and Cabbage Salad; and Coconut Ice Cream in our Virgin Vietnamese menu.

Asian Confetti Quinoa Salad with Almonds

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May 31, 2017

This quinoa salad makes a wonderful side dish. To amp up the protein and make it a full meal, feel free to add grilled or roasted chicken.

Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup almonds, slivered

1 cup tri-color quinoa

1 cup green bell pepper, diced

1 cup red bell pepper, diced

½ cup green onions, chopped

1 cup organic black beans, canned

1 medium avocado, diced

1 cup zucchini, chopped

½ cup yellow summer squash, chopped

1 tablespoon tamari (low-sodium)

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

2 tablespoons cilantro

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon, sea salt

Directions

1To slow-roast nuts: Place 1 cup raw nuts and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Soak overnight at room temperature, then drain the nuts. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 140°F for 8 hours.

2Combine the quinoa and the water in a small saucepan and cook according to the package directions. Transfer to a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.

3Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in the bell peppers, almonds, green onions, black beans, avocado, zucchini, yellow squash, tamari, vinegar, cilantro, sesame oil, and salt. Mix well. Enjoy!

Originally published in JJ Virgin's Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook, Grand Central Life & Style, 2015

 

Want more healthy, yummy recipes? Check out jjvirgin.com/recipes.

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Nutrition Facts

Calories452
Protein16g
Sugar7g
Total Fat20g
Total Carbohydrates52g
Dietary Fiber13g

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