Dive into the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our mouthwatering Quinoa Bowl topped with a luscious Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! This colorful dish not only tantalizes your taste buds but also packs a nutritious punch, making it perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is a quick and easy way to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. Get ready to discover how simple ingredients can come together to create a dish that's bursting with flavor and good for you too!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- While quinoa cooks, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Slice red bell pepper into halves, removing seeds and stem.
- Place red pepper halves on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and roast for 15-20 minutes until skin is slightly charred and pepper is soft.
- Remove roasted pepper from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Peel off skin if desired, then chop into small pieces.
- In a blender, combine roasted red pepper, tahini, remaining olive oil, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth to create the sauce.
- Dice cucumber and halve cherry tomatoes for garnish.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork once cooking is complete. Transfer to serving bowls.
- Drizzle roasted red pepper sauce generously over quinoa. Top with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Serve immediately while warm, with additional sauce on the side if desired.
Tips
- Rinse the Quinoa: Don’t skip rinsing the quinoa! This step removes any residual bitterness and enhances the nutty flavor of the grain.
- Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the roasted red pepper sauce to your taste. Add more garlic for a bolder flavor or a splash of vinegar for extra tang.
- Roast the Peppers Perfectly: Keep an eye on the red peppers while roasting. You want them to be slightly charred for that smoky flavor but not burnt.
- Make It a Meal: To turn this bowl into a complete meal, consider adding some protein like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or shrimp.
- Serve Fresh: For the best experience, serve the quinoa bowl immediately after preparing. The fresh veggies and warm quinoa create a delightful contrast in textures.
- Store Leftovers Properly: If you have leftovers, store the quinoa and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
