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Flavorful Earth Bowl Salads

Flavorful Earth Bowl Salads - featured image
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A quick and easy salad recipe combining fresh vegetables, hearty grains, and a zingy dressing for a healthy, satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • ½ cup farro, cooked (optional but recommended)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • 1 cup chickpeas, cooked or canned, drained (optional protein)
  • 6 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced (optional protein)
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
  • Fresh herbs (cilantro or parsley, chopped, optional)
  • Pickled red onions (a few slices, optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Cook ½ cup farro in 1 ½ cups water for 20–25 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain any excess water and let grains cool slightly (about 10 minutes).
  3. While grains cook, dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, shred carrots, slice avocado just before assembling, and wash and dry baby spinach.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa and farro, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and baby spinach. Add chickpeas or grilled chicken if using.
  6. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  7. Fold in sliced avocado carefully to keep its shape. Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh herbs, and pickled onions if desired.
  8. Transfer salad to serving bowls and enjoy immediately, or chill for 10–15 minutes if preferred.

Notes

Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove bitterness. Cook quinoa and farro separately for best texture. Add avocado last to avoid browning. Dressing can be shaken in a jar for better emulsification. Grains can be cooked ahead and stored in the fridge for faster assembly.

Nutrition

Keywords: earth bowl salad, healthy lunch, quinoa salad, farro salad, easy salad recipe, vegetarian salad, gluten-free option, healthy dinner

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/flavorful-earth-bowl-salads-recipe-easy-healthy-lunch-ideas-2024/