Quinoa and Avocado Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

A light and refreshing salad that's perfect for summer. The quinoa provides a nutty base, while the avocado adds a creamy richness. The red bell pepper and red onion add a bit of sweetness and crunch, and the fresh cilantro and mint add a bright, herbaceous flavor. The lemon-tahini dressing is the perfect finishing touch, adding a tangy, savory flavor that brings all the elements together.

This salad was inspired by a trip to the Middle East, where I had the pleasure of tasting many delicious and flavorful dishes. One dish that particularly stood out was a quinoa salad with a creamy avocado dressing. I was so impressed by the combination of flavors and textures that I decided to create my own version of the dish. After several attempts, I finally came up with a recipe that I'm really happy with. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1 avocado, peeled and diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup lemon-tahini dressing (see recipe below)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, avocado, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, and mint.
2. Drizzle with the lemon-tahini dressing and toss to coat.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Why It Works

• The quinoa provides a nutty base that helps to balance out the other flavors in the salad.
• The avocado adds a creamy richness that makes the salad more satisfying.
• The red bell pepper and red onion add a bit of sweetness and crunch that helps to brighten up the salad.
• The fresh cilantro and mint add a bright, herbaceous flavor that helps to balance out the other flavors in the salad.
• The lemon-tahini dressing is the perfect finishing touch, adding a tangy, savory flavor that brings all the elements together.