quinoa

Vegan Salads Full of Protein

As a Vegan, the most asked question I hear is - how do you get enough protein? Well, even though this question can sometimes get a bit annoying, I always let people know that protein isn't ever an issue if you eat healthy. Most vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds contain some protein and many of them have a lot of protein.

These salads are so delicious, even your non-Vegan friends will love them. Feel free to change up these recipes and add whatever plant based ingredients you like. Enjoy!

photo by robinhelfrich.com

photo by robinhelfrich.com

QUINOA SALAD WITH MANGO

-  ½ cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
-   1 cup each: black beans and chopped cucumber
-   1 fresh mango, cubed
-   1 avocado, cubed and sprinkled with lime or lemon juice
-   ¼ cup each: mint (chopped), cilantro (or parsley)
-   2 Tbsp each: olive oil and lime juice
-   1 garlic clove, minced
-   Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
-   Cook quinoa according to package.
-   Mix olive oil, lime juice, garlic and salt and pepper.
-   Add all the other ingredients and toss with dressing. Cool in refrigerator.

photo by farmerstoyou.com

photo by farmerstoyou.com

ROASTED BEET SALAD

-   3-4 medium beets
-   1 Tbsp olive oil
-   A bunch of mixed greens (organic of course)
-   Vegan Goat cheese
-   ½ cup of chopped walnuts

DRESSING:
-   1 ½ Tbsp. each: maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced onion
-   3 Tbsp red wine vinegar or balsamic
-   5-6 Tbsp of olive oil
-   Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
-   Preheat oven to 400. Scrub beets and cut off both ends. Drizzle with olive oil and put on a cookie sheet lined with tin foil. Cover with tin foil loosely. Cook for 1 hour. Let cool enough to handle. Peel skin off and slice. OR clean (don’t cut off ends) put in a pot and boil for 40 minutes. Let cool and peel.
-   Mix all of the dressing ingredients together.
-   Arrange mixed greens, top with beets and cheese and drizzle with dressing.

OPTIONS:
-   Add cut up orange pieces to salad. Replace one of the Tbsp. of vinegar with orange juice and a bit of orange jest.