Curried Cauliflower Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing
When the sky is grey, I like to be sure there is plenty of color on my plate, and right now in the Pacific Northwest, there are a lot of grey skies. A few weeks ago, I fled our cold temps and headed down to soak up some LA sun. In search of a speedy, healthy lunch, I popped into a nearby Sweetgreen and stumbled across a quinoa salad SO good that I was actually a little heartbroken when I scraped the bowl for my very last bite. It was as bright and cheering as those LA skies, a tantalizing mix of:
- Spicy arugula
- Warm quinoa
- Shredded, crunchy red cabbage
- Roasted curried cauliflower
- Golden raisins
- Sliced cucumber
- Creamy yogurt-tahini dressing
- Fresh cilantro
People often ask where our recipe inspiration comes from. Often, the answer is from moments like these—tasting something delicious out in the world and coming home to recreate dishes we’ve loved. As soon as I was back home, I headed straight for the kitchen with visions of curried cauliflower and yogurt tahini dressing dancing in my head. The results were pure homemade quinoa salad heaven, and I hope you’ll agree.
Is Quinoa Salad Healthy?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is absolutely yes! Here’s why:
- Quinoa. This ancient grain is an incredible health-boosting superfood, with loads fiber, antioxidants and all nine essential amino acids quinoa wins the prize for being one of the healthiest foods on earth. And—bonus!—it’s delicious, too.
- Vegetables! This quinoa salad relies heavily on the flavor-boosting, vitamin-packed support of savory curried cauliflower, crispy cucumbers and leafy greens.
- Homemade yogurt-tahini dressing! Salads like this are held together by killer dressing—the creamier, the better. Nutty, rich tahini is whipped up with tangy yogurt and lemon juice to make a dressing that even the pickiest eater will love. And—surprise, surprise—it’s healthy, too. Tahini is fiber and protein rich, yogurt is full of good bacteria (good bacteria=happy gut!), and soothing, refreshing cucumber and lemon balance it all out.
How to Cook Quinoa
First things first! Quinoa salads are a breeze to pull together, especially once you’ve mastered the art of cooking quinoa. Cook a big batch and keep it in the fridge, it’s a quick way to add fiber and protein to almost any meal—you can even toss it into a smoothie for a protein boost on the go. Here’s how to cook it:
- Rinse. Place your quinoa in a fine mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water.
- Measure. You’ll want a ratio of about 2:1 water: quinoa. So, for one cup of uncooked quinoa, you’ll need two cups of water.
- Boil. Bring two cups of water to a boil, and add the uncooked, rinsed quinoa. Cover and simmer until all of the water has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
What Can I Put in a Quinoa Salad?
Because quinoa has such a mild flavor, it makes a great, filling addition to almost any of your favorite, go-to salads. Just toss a little cooked quinoa into a bowl with greens of your choice, add your favorite proteins and / or vegetables, and drizzle with a little olive oil, or whatever dressing you love.
Here are a few quinoa salad combinations we love, to get you started:
Mediterranean quinoa salad:
- Parsley
- Roasted chickpeas
- Olives
- Bell peppers
- Feta
- And this Mediterranean Dressing
Kale Quinoa Salad:
- Kale
- Parmesan cheese
- Pickled onions
- Soft-boiled egg
- And our favorite Caesar Dressing
Southwest Quinoa Black Bean Salad:
- Romaine
- Cilantro
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado
- Grilled chicken
- Black beans
- This tangy Southwest Dressing
More of Our Favorite Single Bowl Meals
We’re all about bowls around here. Fast, forgiving, adaptable and generally pretty healthy, they cover all the bases—proteins, grains, veggies. Plus, they’re ideal for making ahead! Just assemble your bowl(s) ahead of time, and dress them when you’re ready to eat them. Here are few bowls that we’re crushing on right now:
Teriyaki chicken sushi bowl—an umami explosion with homemade teriyaki chicken, seasoned rice, and flaked nori.
Coconut rice salmon bowl—I just can’t think of a prettier food. It will take your tastebuds far away to a warmer place.
Italian chopped salad—with all the cheese and salami, you’ll hardly remember you’re eating a salad.
Tools You'll Need:
- A large bowl.
- A baking sheet.
- A sharp knife.
- A blender.
Is This The Perfect Vegetarian Bowl?
We think so too! Snap a photo of your Curried Cauliflower Quinoa Salad and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
