PERUVIAN TOASTED SWEETCORN, AVOCADO & QUINOA SALAD

Peruvian toasted sweetcorn, avocado & quinoa salad image

Try this vegetarian salad with protein-packed quinoa and protective carotenoids, a healthy choice for lunch or dinner

Provided by Justine Pattison

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

75g uncooked quinoa
140g frozen sweetcorn
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
75g cherry tomatoes , quartered
1 small pack coriander , leaves roughly chopped
2 spring onions , trimmed and finely sliced
finely grated zest and juice 1 lime
1/2 long red chilli , finely chopped (deseeded if you don't like it too hot)
1 ripe but firm avocado
25g mixed nuts , such as brazils, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts

Steps:

Half fill a medium pan with water and bring to the boil. Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve then add to the water, stir well and simmer for about 12 mins or until just tender.
While the quinoa is cooking, put the sweetcorn in a dry frying pan and place over a medium-high heat. Cook for 5-6 mins, turning every now and then until lightly toasted. Set aside.
Rinse the cooked quinoa in a sieve under cold water, then press hard with a ladle or serving spoon to remove as much of the excess water as possible.
Tip the quinoa into a bowl and toss with the olive oil, sweetcorn, tomatoes, coriander, spring onions, lime zest and chilli. Season well with black pepper.
Halve and stone the avocado. Scoop out the flesh with a large metal spoon and cut into slices. Toss with the lime juice. Add the avocado and nuts to the salad and toss gently together before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 481 calories, Fat 31 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 37 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 12 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium