Quinoa and Veggie Salad

This is one of my favourite lunches and is so easy to make. The recipe may sound basic but it tastes amazing! I find the dressing and quinoa super filling, meaning I can last the rest of the day without snacking (usually!). Another positive is I feel really energised after eating this, making it a great lunch for when you are on the go.

Ingredients (serves 2)

1 butternut squash, chopped into chunks

2 carrots, chopped into sticks

1 white onion, diced

1 red onion, diced

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 cup spinach

1 cup kale

1 pack black beans

3 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp miso paste

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp tumeric

1 tbsp mixed herbs

Pepper

Pinch of sea salt

Optional: clove of crushed garlic to sprinkle on top

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 celsius. Whilst the oven is warming up, chop the butternut squash, carrots, onions and mushrooms

2. Prepare the oven tray with foil and some coconut oil to make sure the veggies don't stick to the foil. Place the chopped veggies on the foil and sprinkle the turmeric, mixed herbs, pepper and salt on top

3. Place the veggies in the oven for 25 minutes, adding the onions when you have 15 minutes to go and the mushrooms when you have 10 minutes to go (this means the onions and mushrooms won't over cook)

4. In the meantime, boil the quinoa for 15 minutes, or until it is cooked

5. Lightly fry the spinach and kale in 1 tbsp of coconut oil on high heat until their leaves wilt. This should take only a few minutes and you should take them off the heat before they dry out

6. Mix the tahini, miso paste and olive oil in a mug to form the dressing. Tip: add some water if the paste becomes too thick and gloopy

7. Drain and place the quinoa and the black beans in a large bowl, adding the veggies once they are cooked and the spinach and kale. Pour in the dressing from the mug and mix evenly so all the veggies, leaves and quinoa are coated evenly

8. Eat straight away or put in the fridge to cool and enjoy later

You can't go wrong with this salad and it has so many nourishing benefits that I always feel really good after eating it. Try it for yourself and feel free to add in other veggies to make it varied.

Enjoy! 

- Anna