Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl {Recent, Quick & Excellent for Meal Prep!}

Once I need one thing wholesome that also feels enjoyable to eat, I nearly all the time come again to grain bowl. This Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl has all my favorites in a single place: fluffy quinoa, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, olives, peppery arugula, and a creamy hummus dressing that ties every little thing collectively. It tastes like one thing you’ll seize from a restaurant case, however it’s so straightforward to throw collectively at residence.

I really like making an enormous batch of quinoa initially of the week and utilizing it for bowls like this. On busy days, all I’ve to do is chop just a few veggies, whisk the fast hummus dressing, and lunch is prepared. When you make it as soon as, it turns into a kind of “construct it with no matter you might have” recipes you attain for time and again.

Earlier than You Get Began

Listed below are just a few fast tricks to peek at earlier than you begin so your quinoa bowls come out completely each time.

• Rinse the quinoa: Give the quinoa a fast rinse earlier than cooking to scrub away any bitter coating and maintain the flavour clear and gentle.
• Cool the quinoa: Let the cooked quinoa cool to room temperature earlier than tossing it with the arugula and veggies so the greens keep crisp.
• Chop every little thing bite-sized: Minimize the cucumbers, tomatoes, pepper, onion, and olives into small items so each forkful has a little bit of every little thing.
• Plan for meal prep: If you’re making bowls forward, plan to maintain the dressing separate and add it simply earlier than serving so the salad stays contemporary and never soggy.

Tips on how to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls

Right here is a straightforward step-by-step to carry these contemporary, Mediterranean-style bowls collectively.

1. Prepare dinner the Quinoa

Prepare dinner the quinoa in accordance with the package deal instructions. For many quinoa, mix 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water, carry to a boil, then scale back to a simmer, cowl, and prepare dinner for about quarter-hour. Take away from the warmth, maintain lined for five minutes, then fluff with a fork and let it cool barely.

2. Make the Hummus Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk collectively hummus, lemon juice, olive oil, water, and salt till clean and pourable. Style and alter the seasoning, including just a little extra lemon or water if you’d like it brighter or thinner.

3. Prep the Veggies and Greens

Chop the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, pink pepper, pink onion, parsley, and olives into small items. Add the arugula to a big bowl or divide it amongst meal prep containers.

4. Assemble the Bowls

Mix the cooled quinoa with the chopped veggies and olives. Spoon every little thing over the arugula and drizzle with the hummus dressing simply earlier than serving. Toss gently so the dressing coats the salad evenly.

Recipe Suggestions and Methods

Listed below are the perfect suggestions and methods to make this recipe come out completely each single time.

• Change the veggies: Use no matter you might have available, together with leftover roasted vegetables, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, roasted pink peppers, or sundried tomatoes for a stronger Mediterranean vibe.
• Play with hummus flavors: Change up the flavour of the dressing through the use of several types of hummus, like avocado hummus, black bean hummus, or roasted pink pepper hummus, to immediately change the flavour of the dressing with out further work.
• Use completely different grains: Make this with farro, brown rice, barley, couscous, or cauliflower rice if you wish to change the feel or decrease the carbs.
• Add protein: Flip this right into a full meal by topping it with grilled or shredded rooster, chickpeas, tofu, or shrimp, so it feels further satisfying.
• Layer for jar salads: For grab-and-go lunches, layer dressing on the backside of a jar, then quinoa and hearty veggies, and end with arugula on high to maintain it crisp till you’re able to eat.
• Enhance crunch and taste: Sprinkle on nuts or seeds like almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds, and add feta or goat cheese if you’d like a creamier, richer bowl.
• Taste the quinoa: Prepare dinner quinoa in vegetable or rooster broth and add garlic or herbs whereas it simmers for much more taste in each chew.
• Use a distinct dressing: You should use a selfmade dressing like this wholesome ranch, a selfmade sauce like pesto or teriyaki, or seize a store-bought sauce or dressing for one thing fast. In case you love Mediterranean flavors, the selfmade hummus dressing within the recipe is so good, or you should use tzatziki.

Serving Concepts

Listed below are some enjoyable methods to serve this Mediterranean quinoa bowl for various meals.

• Serve with grilled rooster: Add sliced grilled or baked rooster on high to make a high-protein, family-friendly dinner.
• Stuff into pitas: Spoon the salad into heat entire wheat pitas with further hummus or tzatziki for a straightforward handheld meal.
• Pair with soup: Serve alongside tomato soup or vegetable soup for a comfy, cafe-style combo.
• Make a mezze plate: Plate the quinoa salad with further hummus, olives, and roasted greens for a easy Mediterranean-style unfold.

Storage & Reheating

Listed below are some easy storage suggestions so you may get pleasure from these bowls contemporary or as meal prep.

• Retailer (fridge): Retailer the quinoa and chopped veggies in hermetic containers within the fridge for as much as 3–4 days, and maintain the hummus dressing in a separate container.
• Retailer (freezer): Freeze plain cooked quinoa for as much as 3 months, then thaw and add contemporary veggies and dressing when you find yourself able to assemble a bowl.
• Reheat: Get pleasure from this bowl chilly, or gently heat the quinoa solely and serve it below chilled veggies and dressing for a heat and funky distinction.
• Meal prep tip: Guarantee that the quinoa is at room temperature earlier than you place it in containers in your fridge. This precaution will assist forestall the within of the container from getting steamed up and wilting something you place in there with it.
• Leftovers: Flip leftovers into stuffed pitas, wraps, or toss them with further greens for a fast, ready-to-go lunch.