Terrific Toasted Quinoa Salad
This is the quinoa salad recipe you'll want to make again and again!
If you're looking for a quinoa salad that everyone will remember, then this is the recipe for you! Say "goodbye," to boring salad side dishes, and say "hello," to Terrific Toasted Quinoa Salad! This quinoa salad recipe is a protein-filled dish that everyone will want to try. Just be prepared to share this recipe, because everyone will want it! Roasted vegetables along with toasted, nutty quinoa and crunchy romaine, makes for a delicious side salad recipe or a hearty vegetarian main course. Add some crushed tortilla chips, crumbled queso fresco cheese, toasted pepitas, or diced avocado for some added color and crunch. This Terrific Toasted Quinoa Salad is so delicious it will have you coming back for more!
Ingredients
- For the salad
- 1 1/2 cup canned corn
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large onion, halved and cut into thin slices
- 1 red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 clove whole, peeled garlic
- 1/2 cup cilantro, minced
- 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pinch sea salt
- For the vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 clove roasted garlic (from above), minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
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Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and allow it to drain for 10 minutes. In a medium sized sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the quinoa and toast, stirring constantly, for 2-3 mintes. Add 1 3/4 cup water. (Be careful, the water will sputter as it hits the hot quinoa.) Add a pinch of sea salt and bring the water to a boil. When boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Allow the quinoa to simmer for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the quinoa to a large bowl and set aside.
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On a large, rimmed sheet pan, toss together the halved cherry tomatoes, corn, sliced onion, garlic, three tablespoons olive oil, and a generous pinch of sea salt. Roast in the oven for about 20- 30 minutes, stirring twice, until the tomatoes are shriveled and the corn begins to brown.
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When the vegetables are finished, remove the garlic and set aside. Scrape all the remaining vegetables off and into the bowl with the quinoa. Make sure you get all the blackened bits and juices.
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Mince the garlic and add it to a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the lime juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, cumin, and a pinch of sea salt. Place the lid on the jar and shake vigorously.
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Add the cut romaine lettuce to the quinoa/vegetable mixture and toss all of this together with the vinaigrette and cilantro. Add additional toppings, if desired.
What's your favorite way to eat quinoa?