Fiesta Quinoa Bowl A MexicanInspired Delight

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of sunshine on a plate, mate? This Mexican Quinoa bowl recipe is basically a party in your mouth. Honestly, the zesty lime and the smoky spices? Chef's kiss!

Brief Overview

The beauty of Mexican food is its bold, vibrant flavors. This Fiesta Quinoa Bowl brings that fiesta straight to your kitchen! It's an easy peasy recipe.

Prep takes about 20 mins, cooking's 25. It serves 4 hungry people.

Main Benefits

Quinoa Recipes are packed with protein, which is brilliant for keeping you full and energized. This recipe is just the ticket for a light lunch or a casual get-together with mates.

What makes this Healthy Mexican Quinoa Recipe special? It's totally customisable. Add what you fancy!

Let's Get This Quinoa Party Started!

Right then, have you ever wondered what to do with quinoa ? Well, buckle up! This Mexican Quinoa Bowl is not just any Quinoa Salad recipe.

I was dead keen on a Chipotle Quinoa Bowl Recipe so did some digging to make sure my recipe was spot on.

This recipe is also naturally dairy free , making it a cracking choice if you're lactose intolerant, or just trying to eat Healthy Meals Mexican style.

What You'll Need to Make this Magic Happen

First things first, you'll need quinoa, obviously! Grab a cup of quinoa. Plus some veggies, like red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño if you're brave.

And of course black beans and corn. This Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad is so full of goodness.

Let’s talk toppings! Get some avocados for creamy goodness. Then maybe a few cherry tomatoes for a pop, and maybe some feta for a bit of tang.

Feeling adventurous? Squirt a dash of hot sauce on it to ramp it up.

I can almost guarantee that this bowl of absolute heaven will become a firm family favourite!

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to make this amazing Mexican Quinoa bowl! Honestly, it's mostly stuff you probably already have kicking around.

Fiesta Quinoa Bowl A MexicanInspired Delight Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) quinoa, rinsed well
• 2 cups (475ml) vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1 (15-ounce/425g) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup (150g) frozen corn, thawed
• 1/4 cup (60g) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of ground cumin
• Avocado slices (optional)
• Cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
• Crumbled feta cheese or vegan feta alternative (optional)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• Cook the Quinoa: Combine quinoa, broth, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork.
• Prepare the Black Bean & Corn Salsa: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add jalapeño (if using) and cook for another minute.
• Combine Salsa Ingredients: Stir in black beans, corn, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
• Make the Lime Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, water, garlic, honey (if using), salt, and cumin.
• Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked quinoa among bowls. Top with the black bean and corn salsa, and drizzle with the lime dressing.
• Add Toppings: Add your desired toppings, such as avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta, sour cream, and hot sauce.
• Serve and Enjoy! Tuck in, sunshine!

Nutrition Facts

Calories:400-450

Fat:20g

Fiber:10g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Ingredients & Equipment

Let's get all our ducks in a row. Nothing worse than starting and realising you are missing something!

Main Ingredients for this Mexican Fiesta

Okay, first things first, the star of the show. You'll need 1 cup (200g) of quinoa , rinsed really well.

Honestly, don't skip the rinsing. It gets rid of that slightly bitter taste. For the liquid, we're talking 2 cups (475ml) of vegetable broth.

Water works too, but broth adds so much flavour. Then, you’ll need 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Plus, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon each of cumin and salt.

That's the quinoa base sorted! I love using a good quality quinoa!

Now, for the black bean and corn salsa. Grab 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Half a red onion, finely chopped, and one diced red bell pepper.

If you like a little heat, chuck in a minced jalapeño. Then you'll need a can of black beans (15-ounce/425g) , rinsed and drained.

Also, 1 cup (150g) of frozen corn, thawed. Don’t forget 1/4 cup (60g) of chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

Salt and pepper to taste are a must!

For the lime dressing, which is the bee's knees. You will require 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of water.

And not forgetting 1 clove of minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of honey or agave. Plus, a pinch of salt and a pinch of cumin.

Seasoning is the Key!

Cumin and chili powder are my go-to combo. It’s like, instant Mexican flavour. For a little extra zing, don’t be shy with the lime.

And honestly, fresh cilantro makes such a difference. If you hate cilantro (some people do, the poor souls!), use parsley.

For heat? Jalapeño or a dash of cayenne will do the trick.

Equipment Needed for Healthy Mexican Quinoa Recipe

You don’t need fancy gear. A medium saucepan with a lid for the quinoa . A large skillet for the salsa.

A few mixing bowls, and a whisk for the dressing. A spatula to toss the salsa. If you don’t have a skillet, a frying pan works just fine.

And honestly, you can always mix the dressing with a fork if you don't have a whisk.

I tell you what, Quinoa Recipes are so easy, there's no excuse to not try this Mexican Quinoa . It’s a bowl of sunshine! I hope you give this Mexican Quinoa Bowl a go, it is one of the healthy meals mexican I have found.

Right then, let's get cracking on this Fiesta Quinoa Bowl! Think Mexican Quinoa but way better. We're talking Chipotle-style flavours, but homemade and healthy.

Honestly, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with the shop-bought stuff.

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Mission

First things first. Mise en place is just a fancy way of saying "get your stuff together, yeah?". Chop your half red onion, dice the red bell pepper, mince that jalapeño if you're brave, and measure out your spices.

Rinsing the quinoa is KEY. Trust me, don't skip it. It gets rid of the bitter taste.

Let's Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Fiesta

1. Quinoa Time: Chuck the quinoa, vegetable broth, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, and salt into a saucepan.
2. Boil and Simmer: Bring it to a boil. Then, turn the heat down low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes , or until the liquid is all gone and the quinoa's fluffy.
3. Salsa Sizzle: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the red onion and bell pepper for about 5- 7 minutes , until they soften up. Add the jalapeño now if you're using it, cook another minute.
4. Salsa Mix-Up: Stir in the black beans, sweet corn, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2- 3 minutes .
5. Lime Dressing Magic: Whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, water, garlic, honey (if you're feeling sweet), salt, and cumin in a little bowl.
6. Bowl Assembly: Divide the Mexican Quinoa among bowls. Top with the black bean and corn salsa. Drizzle with that banging lime dressing.
7. Top it Off: Get creative with toppings! Avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta, sour cream, hot sauce.

Pro Tips for a Quinoa Knockout

Okay, here's where it gets real. Overcooked quinoa is a crime against food. Watch the liquid and don't let it turn to mush.

Also, don't be shy with the lime juice. It's what makes this bowl sing. Did you know that roughly 22 million Americans cook with lime juice every day? It makes all food sing!

If you want to make this ahead, cook the quinoa and salsa separately. Then assemble when you're ready to eat.

Makes lunch the next day a total breeze. It's a great recipe, a real healthy meal mexican . This Quinoa Salad is going to be the talk of the town!

Recipe Notes: Cracking the Code to Amazing Mexican Quinoa

Alright, so you're about to dive into this killer Mexican quinoa bowl recipe? Ace! But before you do, let's chat about some sneaky tips and tricks to make it extra special.

This is the bit where we go from "good cook" to "legendary host". You know?

Serving Suggestions: Level Up Your Plating

Okay, first, presentation matters. Don't just throw it in a bowl. Think colours! Layer your quinoa salad nicely. A vibrant bed of healthy Mexican quinoa topped with that glorious black bean corn salsa, a few avocado slices fanned out…bam! Add a dollop of sour cream, because, well, why not? Seriously though, this mexican quinoa bowl looks amazing with it.

Thinking of sides? Some crunchy tortilla chips or maybe a dollop of homemade guacamole would work. And a nice cold Mexican beer? Perfection .

Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh

Right, so you've got leftovers (unlikely, but hey!). Pop that Mexican quinoa in an airtight container. It'll happily chill in the fridge for up to 3 days.

I honestly wouldn't risk freezing it – the textures go a bit weird. Reheating? A quick zap in the microwave or a gentle warm-up in a pan with a splash of water will do the trick.

Just make sure it's piping hot, yeah? Honestly I prefer it cold the next day!

Variations: Let's Get Creative!

Fancy a change? Ditch the dairy for a Vegan Mexican Quinoa version and use vegan feta. Sub lemon for lime.

Boom! Want something sweeter? A spicy mango salsa is amazing with this. So delicious! Feeling adventurous? This healthy meals mexican can be your canvas!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl

So, why should you bother making this chipotle quinoa bowl recipe ? Because it's packed with goodness! Think protein, fibre, and all those essential vitamins and minerals.

I honestly feel virtuous when I eat it, which is a massive win in my book. This Healthy Mexican Quinoa Recipe is a champion.

So there you have it. Your ticket to Mexican Quinoa glory. look into in, experiment, and most importantly, have fun! You got this!