Description
A delightful bowl filled with quinoa, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. sweetener of choice (granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 3/4 cup frozen/thawed fire-roasted corn, warmed
- 1 medium avocado, cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
- 1/2 tsp. dried dill (or 2 tsp. fresh)
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Pickle the red onions by placing them in a medium heat-proof bowl. In a medium pot, combine apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sweetener, and salt; bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and pour the vinegar mixture over the sliced onions. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours at room temperature.
- Cook quinoa by combining it with vegetable broth and a pinch of salt in the same pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until fluffy and liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 18 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cover.
- Prepare the Yogurt Ranch by blending Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Sauté the chickpeas in olive oil over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt, then add BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- Assemble the bowls by dividing cooked quinoa into three bowls and topping with BBQ chickpeas, fire-roasted corn, pickled red onion, cheddar, and avocado. Drizzle with ranch dressing and garnish with chives if desired.
Notes
Make ahead by preparing components a day in advance for easy assembly. Adjust ingredients based on personal preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 30mg