Quinoa with Artichokes, Asparagus and Kale {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

Zesty Quinoa Salad with Asparagus and Kale – you’re bound to love this delicious and healthy recipe. Vegan and gluten free, it’s the perfect meal for dinner.Zesty Quinoa Salad with Asparagus and Kale totally changed my mind about quinoa. I tried quinoa once a while ago and wasn’t that impressed with it – it was kind of dry and flavorless and just sort of turned into mush in your mouth.

But after seeing numerous quinoa recipes online and reading about all the various health benefits (high in protein, plant derived calcium, iron, and fiber, with magnesium to regulate blood pressure and relax muscles and manganese and copper to work as antioxidants)  – I knew it deserved another chance.

I figured even if I didn’t like it that much the second time around, consuming such a superfood would still be worth it. I’m also always on the lookout for vegetarian meals so this recipe allowed me to kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.

But let me tell you – I LOVED it. This zesty quinoa salad recipe with asparagus and kale is just perfect.

MY LATEST VIDEOS

I must have completely over cooked it the first time because with this zesty quinoa salad was delicious. I couldn’t stop  myself from getting seconds, and then thirds – it was that good.

The combination of the textures and flavors of the quinoa, artichokes, asparagus and kale is fantastic and this zesty quinoa salad makes the perfectly healthy meal.

If omitting the Parmesan it becomes vegan. I urge you to try this. If you’re sketical of quinoa do it for the health benefits at least, if not for the taste. Just make sure not to over cook it.

Now that I’m a quinoa convert expect to see some more quinoa recipes in the future (unless of course I just keep making this one over and over again).

How to make my zesty quinoa salad with asparagus and kale

5 from 1 vote

Print

Zesty Quinoa Salad with Artichokes, Asparagus and Kale

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Vegan and Gluten Free this is a perfect dinner meal - zesty quinoa salad packed full of veggies!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Healthy

Servings: 6

Calories: 366 kcal

Author: Vicky

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 lemon zested and juiced
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons sunflower oil
• 3/4 pound asparagus bottom inch of spears discarded the rest cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup canned artichoke hearts quartered
• 2-3 cups kale chopped
• 1/4 cup walnuts broken into smaller pieces
• salt pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Parmesan freshly shredded (optional) (omit for vegan)
• 2 scallions chopped

Instructions

1. Rinse quinoa in cold water. In a medium pan add quinoa, lemon juice and zest and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, reduce heat, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a cover, cover and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
2. In a pan heat sunflower oil (or vegetable oil) over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until just starting to brown - transfer to a bowl. To the same pan add asparagus and cook 2-3 minutes then add kale and cook until just starting to get wilted.
3. Add artichoke hearts and walnuts and continue to cook for a couple minutes. Add garlic back to the pan and mix to combine.
4. When quinoa is fully cooked add it to the pan with the vegetables and mix. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and scallions.
5. Recipe Adapted from Snixy Kitchen

Nutrition Facts

Zesty Quinoa Salad with Artichokes, Asparagus and Kale

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 532mg 22%

Potassium 606mg 17%

Total Carbohydrates 46g 15%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 2g

Protein 11g 22%

Vitamin A 64.8%

Vitamin C 57.9%

Calcium 9.5%

Iron 26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.