Healthy Post-Holiday Salad Recipe: Fresh & Nutritious

Many of us want to start over with healthier, more nutrient-dense meals after the decadent feasts and sugary delights of the holidays. This colourful, nutritious salad is the ideal way to start a balanced diet because it includes protein-rich quinoa, fresh greens, and a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this is an easy yet delectable way to start eating healthily in the new year.

Ingredients
For the Salad:
4 cups mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, and kale)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup slivered almonds (toasted)
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

For the Citrus Vinaigrette:
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Essential Utensils
The quinoa is cooked in a medium pot.
Big salad bowl
A tiny bowl for combining (for dressing)
Whisky
Cutting board and knife
Measurement spoons and cups

Time Spent Preparing:
15 minutes for preparation
Quinoa takes 15 minutes to cook.
30 minutes in total.

Instructions for Preparation
Prepare the quinoa:
To get rid of the bitterness, rinse one cup of quinoa with cool water.
Put the quinoa, two cups of water, and a teaspoon of salt in a medium pot.
Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Allow it to cool fully.

Get the Citrus Vinaigrette ready:
Mix the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, orange and lemon juices, and olive oil in a small bowl.
To taste, add salt and pepper. Put aside.

To assemble the salad:
Place the mixed greens in a large salad bowl.
Arrange the feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, toasted almonds, sliced avocado, and chilled quinoa in a layer.

Dress and Toss:
Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette that has been prepared.
Make sure all ingredients are equally coated by gently tossing to incorporate.

Serve:
Move to separate plates or serve straight from the bowl. Savour it right now.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 280
Protein: 8g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 5g

Last Word of Advice
Top with a handful of roasted chickpeas or seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower) for crunch and flavour. These nutrient-dense toppings give the salad more texture and protein, which is ideal for your new year's healthy eating objectives.