Description
This southwest quinoa delight recipe combines protein-packed quinoa with zesty southwestern flavors for a nutritious meal. Colorful ingredients and bold spices create a satisfying dish you can enjoy any time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup bell peppers (diced)
- ½ cup red onion (diced)
- ½ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) lime juice (fresh)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Sauté Stage: Ignite a medium saucepan over medium heat, drizzle olive oil, and introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrant essence to permeate for 45-60 seconds until translucent.
- Quinoa Cooking: Integrate quinoa and vegetable broth, escalate heat to induce a vigorous boil, then immediately retreat to low temperature, seal with a lid, and let simmer until liquid vanishes completely, approximately 14-16 minutes.
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl until a harmonious blend emerges, creating a zesty flavor foundation.
- Ingredient Fusion: Transfer cooked quinoa to a spacious serving vessel, incorporating sweet corn kernels, black beans, crimson bell peppers, green onions, and cilantro, creating a vibrant, textural landscape.
- Flavor Infusion: Drizzle prepared vinaigrette over the quinoa medley, gently fold to ensure uniform seasoning and balanced taste profile, allowing each ingredient to dance with the dressing.
- Final Touches: Calibrate seasonings with subtle salt and spice adjustments, fine-tuning the dish’s nuanced flavor complexity to personal preference.
- Presentation: Serve Southwest Quinoa Delight either piping hot or refreshingly chilled, optionally adorning with luxurious guacamole or elegantly sliced avocado for an additional layer of creamy indulgence.
Notes
- Boost Quinoa Flavor: Toast quinoa in dry pan before cooking to enhance nutty, rich taste and improve overall texture.
- Liquid Ratio Matters: Use 2:1 liquid-to-quinoa proportion for perfectly fluffy, non-mushy results every time.
- Vinaigrette Tip: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to prevent separation and ensure consistent, balanced flavor in each bite.
- Customize with Confidence: Swap black beans for grilled chicken, add roasted sweet potatoes, or include crispy tortilla strips to personalize this versatile dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg