If you’ve been on the internet in the last few years, then chances are that you’ve seen a quinoa recipe or two. Quinoa is all over Instagram and social media in general thanks to its healthiness, its versatility, and its tastiness.
You might have viewed all these healthy meals with a bit of skepticism. It seems like a lot of posing right? What’s wrong with good old rice anyway? And surely these people are just showing off?
Well, while the latter point may have some truth in it, this is a case of ‘don’t knock it until you’ve tried it’. You see, there is a reason that quinoa has generated so much buzz lately. And it’s the same reason that people are so excited about kale too. And avocado while we’re at it.
You see, all of these foods are incredibly delicious. And they have the added benefit of being versatile, fun to make, and easy to cook.
There’s something immensely satisfying about branching out of the norm and trying a few alternative ingredients that you know are incredibly good for you. Combining these in ways that taste amazing, look beautiful, and make you feel good is even better.
Quinoa just so happens to go really well with salmon, avocado, and a whole host of other great ingredients that everyone seems to love right now. This could be your window into a whole new world of healthy, fun eating. So with that in mind, here are 15 refreshing quinoa salads that you can enjoy and share to Facebook when you’re done!
1. Salmon and Avocado Salad
This meal is a prime example of a very healthy recipe that actually tastes fantastic. It combines many of the healthiest and most popular ingredients that you’re going to see cropping up on this list a whole lot (and which are Instagram sensations in their own right) and it’s incredibly healthy.
To make this one, you will simply need to take:
- Smoked salmon
- Avocado
- Pomegranate seeds
- Mango
- Goats cheese
- Lemon
- Quinoa
And mix into a bowl.
Two of the most healthy ingredients in this one the avocado and the smoked salmon. Focusing on the smoked salmon for a moment, what makes this one so great is first that it is an excellent source of lean protein (meaning that it can be used to build muscle and repair injuries without adding fat) and that it is rich in omega 3 fatty acid. That latter point means that it can reduce inflammation in the brain and joints, aid with the absorption of nutrients, and improve cell membrane permeability so as to let signals pass through more quickly. In layman’s terms? It speeds up the communication through your brain! As you might have guessed, this is rather excellent for your general mental performance.