Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What Is Quinoa?
3. What Is Tahini?
4. Are Chickpeas Even Good For Your Health?
5. Other Delicious Vegan Recipes To Try
6. The Caavakushi Vegan Newsletter
7. Vegan Recipe Books
8. Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe With Chickpeas & Tahini Dressing
8.1. Ingredients
8.1.1. For Vegan Quinoa Salad
8.1.2. For Tahini Dressing
8.2. Instructions
8.3. Tips
8.4. Serves
8.5. Calories
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use pre-cooked quinoa to save time?
Q2. Can I swap chickpeas for another protein sauce?
Q3. How long can I store leftovers?
Q4. Can I skip the tahini dressing if I’m not a fan?
Q5. What’s the best type of quinoa for this recipe?
10. Conclusion
11. Thoughts
1. Introduction
Buckle up, food enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a culinary adventure with the Caavakushi heavenly vegan quinoa salad with chickpeas and tahini dressing. This vibrant dish not only tantalizes your taste buds but also packs a nutritional punch. Get ready for a symphony of flavors that will have you doing a happy dance around your kitchen!
2. What Is Quinoa?
Before we embark on our quinoa quest, let’s get acquainted with this superstar grain. Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is a tiny but mighty grain hailing from South America. It’s not just a grain; it’s a protein powerhouse that’s gluten-free and incredibly versatile. Now, let’s turn this grain into a dazzling salad, shall we?
3. What Is Tahini?
The word tahini may sound a little scary, but trust us, it’s not. Once you get to know and try tahini you’ll wonder what you did all your life without it. Tahini is essentially the unsung hero of condiments. It’s basically the Swiss army knife of the culinary world. It’s like the smooth operator in the sauce universe, made from ground sesame seeds, a little like peanut butter’s sophisticated sibling. Packed with nutritional goodness, tahini is a powerhouse of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It’s the kind of spread that makes you feel like you’re levelling up in the adulting game. You can slather it on toast, drizzle it over salads, or even use it as a secret weapon in baking because who wouldn’t want a hint of sesame magic in their cookies?
4. Are Chickpeas Even Good For Your Health?
Now, you might be wondering: What are chickpeas? They are the tiny wonders that prove good things really do come in small packages. These little legumes are a nutrient-packed delight, boasting protein, fibre, and a host of vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas are like the MVPs of the food world. They are versatile, reliable, and always up for a good time in the kitchen. Whether you’re whipping up a hearty chickpea stew, turning them into crispy, addictive snacks, or blending them into a creamy hummus, these little guys are here to show you that healthy eating can indeed be delicious and downright entertaining. So, next time you’re pondering the pantry, grab those chickpeas and let the culinary adventures begin!
5. Other Delicious Vegan Recipes To Try
Whether you love to cook or you’re just a beginner, we have something for everybody. The Caavakushi team has created a range of incredible recipes just for vegans. Every recipe is very easy to follow, with ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare each meal. Give them a try and let us know what you think. We’d love to see pictures and videos of your recreations of our recipes on social media. Tag us, and we may even give you a shout-out!
- Vegan Lentil & Vegetable Stew With Brown Rice Recipe
- Vegan Pumpkin Sauce Spaghetti Recipe
- Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe With Chickpeas & Tahini Dressing
- Vegan Smoothie Bowl
- Sweet & Spicy Vegan Banana Rice Recipe
- Veganuary 30 Day Vegan Meal Plan With Snacks
- Vegan Korean Corn Dog Recipes
- Vegan Turkey Recipe & Sides For Christmas Dinner
- 5 vegan egg rolls recipes
- Vegan pumpkin spice latte recipe
- Vegan pumpkin pizza recipe
- Vegan mango lassi
- Vegan coconut lassi
- Vegan salty lassi
- 7 vegan watercress sandwich recipes
- Vegan ginger shot recipe
- Vegan Thanksgiving recipes
- Vegan Diwali mithai recipes
- 7 vegan Japanese hosomaki rolls recipes
6. The Caavakushi Vegan Newsletter
If you like being in the know about all things related to veganism, we’ve got you covered. The Caavakushi vegan newsletter covers pretty much all aspects of the plant-based world. We will keep you up to date with vegan news, vegan business, vegan food, vegan products and services, vegan health and fitness, vegan travel, vegan events, vegan entertainment, sports, pets, charities, and influential vegans, plus we might throw in some free gifts too. So join now. It’s free, and you’ll receive a weekly dose of all things vegan and cruelty-free straight to your inbox.
7. Vegan Recipe Books
Whether you’re new to vegan cooking or not, we guarantee that the recipe books we recommend will not disappoint. These plant-based recipe books are some of the best. They’ve got the most appetising and creative dishes that we’ve ever come across. Try some of the recipes in these books and let us know which ones were your favourites.
- BOSH!: Simple Recipes Amazing Food All Plants
- The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen
- So Vegan: One Pot Vegan
- Dirty Vegan: Proper Banging Vegan Food
- The 20-Minute Vegan: Quick, Easy Food (That Just So Happens to be Plant-based)
8. Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe With Chickpeas & Tahini Dressing
This is the perfect post workout meal. It’s definitely not your typical salad because this bad boy is packed with protein.
8.1. Ingredients
8.1.1. For The Vegan Quinoa Salad:
- 1 cup of quinoa (any color works, quinoa doesn’t discriminate)
- 1 can of organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color, because we love a vibrant salad), chopped
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 a cup of red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
8.1.2. For the Tahini Dressing:
- 1/4 cup of Lebanese tahini
- 2 tablespoons of organic cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (freshly squeezed, because we’re fancy)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
8.2. Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Pro tip: Quinoa loves a good rinse before cooking to remove any bitterness.
- While the quinoa is doing its thing, assemble the salad ingredients in a large bowl. organic chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, and parsley, pronto!
- Once the quinoa is ready, let it cool slightly. We want a salad, not a steam bath.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Lebanese tahini recipe. Add organic cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This dressing is so good, you might be tempted to drink it. Please don’t. Save it for the salad.
- Pour the tahini dressing over the quinoa and veggies. Toss everything together like you’re in a salad dance-off.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Maybe add a dash more Lebanese tahini because, why not?
- Serve your quinoa salad with chickpeas and Lebanese tahini dressing in your favourite bowl. It’s not just a salad; it’s a masterpiece.
8.3. Tips
If you like to mix and match textures, we recommend one extra step. Lightly roast your chickpeas before you add them to the salad. The easiest way to do this is by using the air fryer chickpeas method. Just pop them into your air fryer for a couple of minutes until they reach the perfect level of crispiness for you. We guess doing this may just make the chickpeas the star of the show (we might as well rename it the quinoa chickpea salad, the vegan chickpea salad, or even the cucumber chickpea salad).
8.4. Serves
This quinoa masterpiece generously serves four hungry souls. Share the love, or save some for later. Your call!
8.5. Calories
Each serving of this delightful quinoa salad clocks in at approximately 350 calories. A nutritional powerhouse that won’t weigh you down. That’s because salads are meant to lift your spirits, not your calorie count!
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use pre-cooked quinoa to save time?
A1: Absolutely! If you’re in a time crunch, pre-cooked quinoa works like a charm. Just ensure it’s cooled before joining the salad party.
Q2: Can I swap chickpeas for another protein source?
A2: Of course! Chickpeas are the life of this party, but you can invite black beans, grilled tofu, or even edamame if you’re feeling fancy.
Q3: How long can I store leftovers?
A3: This salad is a trooper. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will keep its magic for up to 3 days.
Q4: Can I skip the tahini dressing if I’m not a fan?
A4: While we encourage embracing the tahini love, you can opt for a tahini substitute, e.g., a simple olive oil and lemon dressing. But hey, tahini is the real MVP here.
Q5: What’s the best type of quinoa for this recipe?
A5: Any colour of quinoa works splendidly, but we love the visual fiesta that a mix of red, white, and black quinoa brings to the table.
10. Conclusion
There you have it, the vegan quinoa salad with chickpeas and tahini dressing. It’s a celebration of flavors, textures, and a dash of quirkiness. Whip up this salad, share it with friends, and revel in the joy of a nutritious and delicious masterpiece. Who said salads can’t be the life of the party? Cheers to good food and happy tummies!
11. Thoughts
We have plenty more articles where that came from on the Caavakushi vegan blog plus you can always find recipes with the Caavakushi vegan search engine. We also love to help plant-based brands and individuals by allowing them to submit vegan guest posts for free. Share your thoughts, experiences, and advice with our vegan community on the Caavakushi vegan forum. If you want to keep up with everything vegan, including products, services, restaurants, hotels, etc., you might want to consider joining our free vegan newsletter. There are also plenty of other places where you can find us, including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Podcast, and Tumblr. Don’t worry, we’ll be back soon with more articles about all things vegan, plant-based, and cruelty-free.