A refreshing coco-nutty quinoa salad with edamame, pomegranates and a coconut lime dressing.
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa pronounced (keen-whah) is a high protein seed, from South America with a nutty and somewhat neutral flavor.
How to Cook Quinoa
Simple enough. Just as you were to make rice you want to rinse the quinoa well under cold running water to wash away the soapy residue found on the outer shell of the seed. Quinoa is usually cooked in 2 cups of water, broth or in this recipe coconut water for a boost of flavor. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes until all the water absorbs and the seed separates from the germ – you’ll know when you see the little spirals.
Quinoa Nutrition
Quinoa is an excellent source of all 9 essential amino acids making it a complete plant based protein. Quinoa’s health benefits go beyond the standard vitamins and minerals- with antioxidant compounds specifically flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, known for anti-inflammatory and mood boosting health benefits.
Quinoa is a seed from the Chenopodium quinoa plant with no ties to wheat making it gluten-free.
1 cup Quinoa
protein// 8 grams
fiber// 5 grams
magnesium// 30% RDA
phosphorus// 28% RDA
folate//19% RDA
copper// 18% RDA
iron//15% RDA
zinc //13%RDA
potassium//319mg
Coconut Quinoa Recipe Tips
Best part about this recipe is that it require minimal cooking. Very ideal for the heat of summer but delicious any season.
For the edamame a bag of de-shelled or shelled frozen ones will work just fine you can add them to a bowl of water and microwave to thaw.
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- 1 cup white quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups coconut water
- 1/2 cup edamame, de-shelled
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup cauliflower, raw, chopped
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 3 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons cashews
- 2 tablespoons coconut
- 1/3 cup basil loosely packed & torn
- 1/3 cup mint loosely packed & torn
- Coconut Lime Dressing
- 1/4 cup avocado oil, organic cold pressed
- 6 tablespoons coconut milk, full fat
- 1/2 shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 lime, juice
- sea salt just a pinch
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions substituting water with coconut water and let cool.
- In mean time prepare coconut lime dressing.
- For dressing: in medium size bowl combine all ingredients for coconut lime dressing and whisk to emulsify.
- Add all ingredients listed under quinoa to the quinoa and pour dressing over cooled quinoa serve cold.
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