Healthy Californian
Elevate your mealtime with the vibrant and nutrient-packed "Healthy Californian" salad! This wholesome recipe combines the earthy goodness of fluffy quinoa with a medley of fresh veggies, including creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and zesty red onion. A sprinkling of slivered almonds and tangy feta cheese adds irresistible texture and flavor. Tossed in a zippy homemade lemon-Dijon dressing, this salad is a perfect balance of bright, refreshing tastes and satisfying heartiness. Ready in just 30 minutes, the Healthy Californian makes an ideal quick lunch, a light dinner, or a flavorful side dish. Packed with plant-based protein, healthy fats, and vibrant produce, this California-inspired creation is sure to become your go-to for a nutritious and delicious meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 3 cups Mixed greens
- 1 large Avocado
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 small Cucumber
- 0.25 cup Red onion
- 0.25 cup Slivered almonds
- 0.25 cup Feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer.
In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and cut the avocado into cubes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, slivered almonds, and feta cheese.
To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Divide the salad into serving bowls and enjoy immediately as a wholesome meal or pair it with grilled chicken or fish for added protein.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1652 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 108.3 g | 139% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 33 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 2980 mg | 130% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 139.9 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.4 g | 76% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.2 g | ||
| Protein | 44.4 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 416 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 9.4 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 2261 mg | 48% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
