Description
This Peruvian style Tabbouleh salad is a must-try. It combines nutritious quinoa with avocado, tomatoes, aji pepper, buttery fava beans. It’s rounded off with a refreshing mint and garlic vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (preferably red or black quinoa), al dente
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow aji pepper or sweet chili
- 1 cup cubed tomatoes (preferably halved cherry tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup dried fava beans (1/2 cup cooked)
For the vinaigrette:
- 2 small shallots, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 oz. Peruvian black mint, chopped – plus more for garnish (can substitute regular fresh mint)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt/pepper
- Pinch of garlic
Instructions
For the quinoa
- To make 2 cups of quinoa, follow these simple steps:
- Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- In a medium-sized pot, combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa. Add a pinch of salt, if desired.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the quinoa simmer for 15-20 minutes. Or until all the water has been absorbed.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for later use. Note: The ratio of water to quinoa is 2:1, so you can adjust the recipe accordingly if you want to make more or less quinoa.
For the chilis
- Make sure the chilis are fresh and well-rinsed.
- Finely cut them, removing all seeds – unless you prefer a hot and spicy dish.
For the tomatoes
- Cut the tomato into squares. You may leave the seeds; it adds to the richness of the salad. If your tomatoes are not organic, ensure they are skinned before cutting.
For the fava beans
- To make 1/2 cup of cooked fava beans, you’ll need about 1/4 cup of dried fava beans.
- Start by rinsing them in cold water.
- Soak them overnight in enough water to cover them by a few inches.
- The next day, drain the beans and rinse them again.
- In a saucepan, add the soaked fava beans and enough water to cover them by about an inch.
- Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the beans cook for about an hour, or until they are tender.
- Drain any excess water and your cooked fava beans are ready
For the avocado
- Choose any avocado available; this recipe uses Hass because it is usually creamier.
- Once the avocado is cut or sliced, place it on a plate and sprinkle with salt and drops of lemon to keep it fresh and tasty.
- Even a good avocado with no salt may give you different results once the salad is made.
For the vinaigrette
- In a food processor, combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Taste, and add more salt and/or pepper if necessary. Use as desired!
- Place all the ingredients in a transparent container, mix well, and place in the fridge.
For serving
- Mix all the ingredients except the avocado. Place mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to ensure it is chilled.
- Once the Tabbouleh is served, place the avocado slices on the salad.
- Prep Time: 40
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Peruvian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2