Quinoa Spinach Pumpkin Seed Salad: A Delightful Fusion of Health and Flavor
Indulge in a culinary journey with our Quinoa Spinach Pumpkin Seed Salad, a vibrant and nutritious dish that tantalizes your taste buds while nourishing your body. This salad is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring fluffy quinoa, tender spinach, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and a delectable dressing that harmonizes all the elements. Whether you're a health-conscious foodie, a vegetarian seeking protein-packed options, or simply a lover of wholesome cuisine, this salad promises to satisfy and delight. Join us as we unveil the secrets behind this exceptional dish, including a step-by-step guide and variations to suit your dietary preferences.
QUINOA, SPINACH, PUMPKIN SEED SALAD
Beautiful color and texture makes me crave this salad. Keeps well for next day lunch, simply add the seeds just before serving. Sunflower seeds may be substituted for the pumpkin. I have cut the balsamic vinegar by half as I found it to be overpowering in the original recipe.
Provided by MtlYogini
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place quinoa in a colander and rinse several times rubbing the grains together to remove the bitter outer layer.Place 2 cups of water and quinoa into a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed.
- Place spinach, cucumber and tomato in a salad bowl, pour over the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, mix well.
- Add the cooked quinoa, mix well.
- Add the pumpkin seeds just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.8, Fat 24.1, SaturatedFat 3.7, Sodium 27.3, Carbohydrate 37.5, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 2.5, Protein 11
PUMPKIN SEED SPINACH SALAD
Here's a fresh new use for pumpkin seeds kernels. This sweet, light and tasty salad is studded with cranberries for attactive color. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large skillet, toast seeds over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add sugar and seasonings. Continue to cook and stir until sugar melts, about 4 minutes. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool., In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until smooth. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, cranberries, cheese and pumpkin seeds. Serve with dressing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 136 calories, Fat 9g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 93mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
QUINOA WILTED SPINACH SALAD
Get all the nutritious benefits of quinoa, spinach and cranberries paired with the crunchy texture of nuts in this easy and scrumptious salad. A light, flavorful dressing splashed with citrus tops everything off! -Sharon Ricci, Mendon, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork., In a large bowl, combine the warm quinoa, spinach and cranberries. For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, orange juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir in onion. Pour over quinoa mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 171 calories, Fat 9g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 136mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
WATERMELON & SPINACH SUPER SALAD
Quinoa, toasted pumpkin seeds, feta and ripe watermelon make a fabulous and filling vegetarian supper that counts as 3 of your 5-a-day
Provided by Charlie Clapp
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Rinse the quinoa, then put it in a pan with a fitted lid and cover with 200ml water. Cook, covered, over a medium heat for 15 mins or until fluffy and the water has been absorbed. Don't worry if it catches on the bottom at little. Fork through to separate the grains , then leave to cool.
- Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a medium heat and toast the pumpkin seeds for 1 min or until they start to pop. Tip into a serving bowl or on a platter with the watermelon, spinach, avocado, mint and feta. Toss through the quinoa , then squeeze over the lime juice with a pinch of seasoning. Top with the cress and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 507 calories, Fat 25 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 48 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 18 grams sugar, Fiber 8 grams fiber, Protein 19 grams protein, Sodium 0.8 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Cook quinoa perfectly: Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitter-tasting saponins. Use the proper water-to-quinoa ratio (usually 2:1 for white quinoa and 2.5:1 for red or black) for perfectly cooked grains.
- Choose flavorful spinach: Opt for baby spinach or tender young spinach with deep green leaves. Avoid wilted or bruised leaves.
- Toast pumpkin seeds: Toasting pumpkin seeds enhances their nutty flavor and crunchy texture. Toast them in a single layer in a pan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Use a tangy dressing: A well-balanced dressing is key to a delicious salad. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful and tangy dressing.
- Add crumbled feta: Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese for an extra layer of flavor and creamy texture. You can also use crumbled goat cheese or grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately: Quinoa salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly. If you need to make it ahead of time, store the dressing and salad separately and combine them just before serving.
Conclusion:
This quinoa, spinach, and pumpkin seed salad is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Its vibrant colors and nutrient-rich ingredients make it a wholesome and satisfying meal. Follow the tips and enjoy this delicious and healthy salad as a main course or a side dish. Quinoa's high protein and fiber content, spinach's essential vitamins and minerals, pumpkin seeds' healthy fats, and feta cheese's tangy flavor create a balanced and flavorful dish. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to customize the salad to your taste preferences. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or simply seeking a healthy and tasty meal, this quinoa, spinach, and pumpkin seed salad is a fantastic choice.
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