Make healthy eating easy with this loaded quinoa kale superfood salad! Packed with micronutrients, healthy carbs and fats, and a dose of protein all while being vegetarian-friendly. It’s filling enough to eat as a main course and great for meal prep!
Lately, I’ve been all about channeling my inner zen and approaching health and nutrition from a more holistic standpoint. I go through phases where it’s difficult to listen to my body and get into the mindset to eat/workout for ME. I mean, with magazines, social media, and tabloids screaming about fad diets and the next big thing to shrink your thighs, it can be hard to focus on what actually matters in life: your physical and mental health. I want to bring things back to basics and start fueling my body with healthy and nutritious foods because my body deserves it and craves it. For me, that means paying closer attention to micronutrients (peep this amazing micronutrient-loaded Acai Bowl I have everyday), eating *more* organic, and trying to eat more fruit and veggies in general. That also means eating out with friends and family on a bi-weekly or more basis, indulging in dessert, and enjoying a cocktail or three when I feel like it ;).
I just want to find a balance that works for ME and I strive everyday to work to be a better version of myself in all aspects life.
Alright, how did that intro turn into a novel about my current state of mind? Thanks for coming to my TED talk, folks. Let’s get back to this salad!
This loaded quinoa kale superfood salad is one of those salads that actually fills you up and satisfies you. It’s filled with quinoa, avocado, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onions, dried cranberries, and feta cheese. All topped off with a tasty lemon-olive oil vinaigrette! I’m not someone who usually feels like a salad (especially vegetarian one) qualifies as a main course, but this recipe is changing my mind. No boring and uninspiring salads here!
I’m going to be honest with you. Kale is one of those foods that never really appealed to me. It’s a little tough and not as soft on your digestive system as other salad leaves. Here’s the secret, though! You just need to give your kale a nice little massage with your dressing and let it sit for a tiny bit. I mean, don’t we all relax and get less tense after a massage? Kale is just a stressed out vegetable that needs a little TLC. Massaging your kale helps get rid of some of that toughness and softens it up for your digestive system.
You get alllll the different flavors and textures with this salad. Salty, sweet, zesty, cheesy… can I get a WHOOP WHOOP?!
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon
- ½ tbsp sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6-7 cups kale, roughly chopped
- ½ cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup sweet corn
- ¼ cup craisins (or raisins)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the container.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, sugar, and salt and pepper.
- Add the kale to a large mixing bowl. Pour half the dressing over the kale and massage for a minute or so until the leaves soften. Add in the cucumber, avocado, onion, corn, craisins, tomatoes, and feta. Top with the remaining dressing and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
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