Quinoa (or KEEN-WA as it is pronounced, QUI-NOAH if you are in the south like me) has definitely become one of, if not, THE most favorite grain of mine within the past five years. As a versatile and textually pleasing food, quinoa can be used in cuisines all across the board, from Italian, to Mexican, to American, as well as during any time of the day, for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.
I’ve tossed it with dressing, layered it with chocolate, and slapped it into patties. Time and time again, it proves to add that extra special something to all of my dishes, making my fondness for it strengthen.
This fact made it an obvious choice for my own version of a mostly raw salad, the only ingredient NOT raw being the quinoa.
Not to mention that quinoa is a complete protein, can you say #winwin?
Initially, the raw food movement can seem pretty drastic, especially when you look on pinterest and see the million and one ways to make raw bread (IT ONLY TAKES 12 HOURS!) or the stunning, yet time-consuming ways to make raw “cake” (YOU ONLY NEED 3 POUNDS OF CASHEWS!).
The benefits that you receive from eating more raw foods is inarguable, but taking the “all or nothing” approach to raw food is definitely setting yourself up for challenges. Especially if you have a family of 5, the amount of time it takes to prepare some of those raw dinners is outrageous (but it sure does look pretty!) and unrealistic for the busy parent.
Related: Raw Jalapeno Coleslaw
So for the tired mothers out there, myself included, eating “raw” doesn’t mean it has to be 100%.
This quinoa salad is a snap to prepare, plus gives you the wonderful benefits of eating raw veg.
For me, incorporating raw food into my lifestyle just means pairing it with some of my favorite cooked grains, beans, flat breads, or other cooked veggies. It means that I aim for a handful of my dinners out of the week to have a healthy ratio between raw and cooked veg.
Most importantly, it means not being perfect.
Living a healthy and “kind” lifestyle means that you don’t put yourself through misery just to make dinner- it means that you SHOW UP and make the best conscious choices that you can that day.
Sometimes that results in super-amazing-mouthwatering-quinoa topped with beautiful veggies, and other days it means a box of pasta and a jar of marinara sauce, because #reasons.
Today, choose compassion and easy conscious living with this simple quinoa dish- takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Just remember that your actions today define your tomorrow, so please choose compassionately when preparing your meals.
This delightful quinoa salad is the perfect *mostly raw* starter salad for any occasion (plus it’s easily flexible for low-histamine diets!). It’s delicious on it’s own, but also can be wrapped in a tortilla (for on the go) or paired with cooked kidney beans and/or sauteed greens. It would also be a wonderful choice for any potluck party.
Enjoy!
[convertkit form=5036453]
Mostly Raw Red Quinoa & Cabbage Vegan Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 C dry red quinoa
- 2 ½ C vegetable broth* (try my EASY low-histamine DIY veggie bouillon!)
- 2 C finely chopped red cabbage
- ¾ C shredded carrots
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced thin (approx. ⅔ C)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon shelled hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- Himalayan pink salt and black pepper, to taste
- Sliced jalapenos for an added kick (optional, leave out if doing low-histamine)
Directions:
- Cook red quinoa in vegetable broth until all the broth is absorbed and quinoa is cooked through.
- Meanwhile, chop up all your raw veg and combine with remaining ingredients (except jalapeno) in a medium mixing bowl or container.
- Add cooked red quinoa to the bowl and stir until blended well.
- Serve with sliced jalapenos on top, if using.
*If doing low-histamine, you may want to cook your quinoa in plain filtered water, depending on your system sensitivity, OR try my homemade veggie bouillon.
[yumprint-recipe id=’88’]
Thank you for taking the time today to invest in your health and happiness! What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa?
This post was shared on Healthy Vegan Fridays and I Am Pinnable.
karen
My tummy is pretty sensitive and cannot tolerate raw. Can I just steam the veggies?
Randi Tisdall
Hi Karen, I’m sure lightly steaming the veggies would work just fine- you know your body best! I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Amber Harrop
Well it looks amazing and I would love to try this Randi
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Amber! It really is amazing, I love red quinoa.
Leanna
I had no idea that red quinoa existed. I love to read the food blogs so many ideas. Pinning this looks awesome Randi.
Randi Tisdall
Thank you Leanna! I know, there is so much to try- it’s one of the best things about the internet, endless recipe ideas!
Denise Bryant
I love QUI-NOAH 🙂 This looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for inspiring me to try a new recipe.
Randi Tisdall
Yes of course!! I hope you give it a try!
Amber Harrop
I actually grew Quinoa last year – surprisingly easy to do in Ireland !! I love it too and this salad looks amazing Randi
Randi Tisdall
Yes I’m pretty sure I remember seeing pictures on your blog!! I have wanted to grow this too, maybe this year I’ll give it a go:)
Leanna
This is so colourful and pretty. I am pinning it for summer. It looks like one of those salads you just make again and again. Thank you for sharing.
Randi Tisdall
It SO is a repeat salad!!! There’s a lot you could do with this, thanks so much Leanna for stopping by and pinning!
Zoe Pickburn
I’m loving quinoa salads at the moment (its definitely KEEN-WAH) – can’t wait to give this variety a try!
Randi Tisdall
LOL, yes that’s the way I prefer to pronounce it as well:) Thanks for stopping by!
Kate
This looks so fresh and tasty! I need to try this… And take some to work!
Randi Tisdall
Thank you Kate! It is very refreshing, I hope you get to try it out:)
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
This looks so delicious Randi! I’m a big quinoa fan myself but have not yet tried it with chocolate like you mentioned.
For some reason I didn’t realize you were in the south. I was trying to pronounce quinoa like you would!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
And Thanks so much for linking up with us for Healthy Vegan Fridays! I’m Pinning and sharing!
Randi Tisdall
LOL, yeah southerner at heart, although I don’t have an accent (or at least I don’t think I do, perhaps a little twang sometimes lol). You MUST try the chocolate quinoa, it will win your heart forever! Thanks for pinning!