Nearly Zen

Discover tranquility on a plate with "Nearly Zen," a vibrant quinoa bowl brimming with wholesome ingredients and bold flavors. This easy, 35-minute recipe combines fluffy quinoa with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables—carrot, cucumber, avocado, red cabbage, and baby spinach—creating a nutrient-packed base that’s as visually stunning as it is satisfying. A tangy-sweet sesame-ginger dressing, made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, lime, and fragrant aromatics, ties it all together, while a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds the perfect crunch. Ideal as a light lunch or dinner, this gluten-free bowl is not only nourishing but also endlessly customizable to suit your personal Zen mood. Perfect for readers searching for healthy, plant-forward meal ideas!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 large carrot
• 1 small cucumber
• 1 large avocado
• 1 cup red cabbage
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then add the quinoa. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 2

While the quinoa cooks, prepare the vegetables: Peel and shred the carrot, thinly slice the cucumber, cut the avocado into cubes, and finely shred the red cabbage.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, the juice of one lime, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic to create the dressing. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4

Divide the cooked quinoa evenly into two bowls as the base.

Step 5

Arrange the shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, cubed avocado, shredded red cabbage, and baby spinach over the quinoa in an artful manner.

Step 6

Drizzle the prepared dressing over the bowls generously.

Step 7

Sprinkle each bowl with toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Step 8

Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a lime wedge for an extra splash of brightness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1346.8 grams (1346.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1325

Total Fat 73.20g	94%
Saturated Fat 8.80g	44%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2483mg	108%
Total Carbohydrate 143.40g	52%
Dietary Fiber 22.60g	81%
Total Sugars 15.50g
Protein 36.10g	72%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 309mg	24%
Iron 11mg	61%
Potassium 1867mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 10.5%

Carbs: 41.7%