Recipe: Grilled Veggie & Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Here’s a vibrant, fresh vegan recipe that captures the flavors of late summer. It’s light, full of seasonal produce, and easy to prepare:

Grilled Veggie & Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced into rounds
• 1 red bell pepper, quartered
• 1 yellow bell pepper, quartered
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

For the lemon-tahini dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2-3 tablespoons water (to thin as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the quinoa:
   • In a medium pot, bring vegetable broth or water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
2. Grill the veggies:
   • Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
   • Brush the zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
   • Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side until the veggies are tender and have grill marks. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
3. Prepare the dressing:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, and water until smooth. Add more water as needed to reach a drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the salad:
   • In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and avocado. Toss with half of the lemon-tahini dressing.
   • Garnish with fresh basil and serve with the remaining dressing on the side.

Enjoy this refreshing and nourishing meal that highlights the best of late summer produce!

Nutritional facts: Total for the whole dish

• Calories: 1391 kcal
• Protein: 33.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 142 g
• Fat: 87.5 g

Nutritional facts: Per serving (1/4 of the recipe):

• Calories: ~348 kcal
• Protein: ~8.4 g
• Carbohydrates: ~35.5 g
• Fat: ~21.9 g