Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Creamy coconut quinoa topped with crisp vegetables and zesty peanut dressing. A healthy vegetarian meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Coconut Quinoa

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 cup coconut milk, full-fat or light
03 - 1 cup water
04 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
07 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
09 - ½ cup edamame, cooked and shelled
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Peanut Dressing

12 - ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water, as needed to thin

# Method:

01 - Combine quinoa, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - While quinoa cooks, slice the bell pepper thinly, julienne or shred the carrot, slice the cucumber and cabbage, and cook the edamame if not already done.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup or honey, and sesame oil. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time until the dressing is smooth and pourable.
04 - Divide the cooked coconut quinoa evenly among four bowls. Top each with an equal portion of prepared vegetables and edamame.
05 - Drizzle bowls generously with peanut dressing. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a chilled bowl.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent but leaves you energized, not weighed down after lunch.
  • The coconut quinoa tastes rich enough to stand on its own, even without the toppings.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble bowls in under five minutes all week.
  • The peanut dressing is dangerously good and works on practically anything green.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the quinoa or you will end up with a slightly soapy taste that ruins everything.
  • Add the warm water to the dressing slowly, too much at once makes it watery instead of creamy.
  • If the quinoa sits too long after cooking without fluffing, it clumps and gets gummy.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on, the flavor difference is incredible.
  • Make a double batch of the peanut dressing and keep it in the fridge, it transforms boring salads all week.
  • If the quinoa tastes bland, it probably needs more salt, do not be shy about adjusting it after cooking.
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