AUTUMN QUINOA SALAD

Protein. Our bodies desperately need it. Recently I have been trying to eat 60g of protein a day. That may sound easy, but we can consume a lot of crap that seems like its healthy on the surface but actually has next to no nutritional value for us. There is a whooping 14g of protein found in every 100g of quinoa, which greatly helps me to get to the 60g a day I need to. Some people will call quinoa bitter, however if you add a generous pinch of salt to the grain as you cook it, this reduces all chance of this happening. Quinoa sometimes does not make a great first impression, as cooking it can be difficult to get it just right, but if you keep the faith and cook it 2-3 times you will start to love it. This Autumn salad is a mixture of vegetables that can be alternated to fit what is in your fridge. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup white quinoa
• 1 medium red capsicum (150g), finely chopped
• 100g green beans, trimmed and cut into 2cm pieces
• a large handful of spinach leaves 
• 1/2 a leek, finely chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon oil (olive/grapeseed)
• 3 tablespoons pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 a ripe avocado, chopped 
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• a drizzle of fresh lemon juice 
• a pinch of sea salt 

COOKING 

1. Cook quinoa by placing it in a large saucepan with a pinch of sea salt and 2 cups water over medium-high heat. Bring the quinoa to the boil, then simmer, covered, for around 13-15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and cool. 

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium frying pan and add garlic and leek. Stir for 2 minutes and then add capsicum and beans, continuing to stir until beans become slightly tender. Add a pinch of salt and remove from heat to cool. 

3. Place cooled quinoa in a large serving bowl and add the spinach leaves. When the fried vegetables cool down a bit, add them as well, along with the pepitas and avocado. Whisk together vinegar and lemon juice and pour over the salad. Toss well to combine. 

Serves / 4 

Can serve with cooked chicken / ham to bulk up the protein. 

x E