Spinach White Bean Protein Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Protein-packed white beans and spinach over fluffy quinoa with creamy lemon-tahini dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water

→ Beans & Vegetables

03 - 2 cups baby spinach, packed
04 - 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Toppings

08 - 1 avocado, sliced
09 - ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
10 - 2 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp tahini
12 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced
16 - ½ tsp ground cumin
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, water, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth. Add more water to thin if needed.
03 - Divide the cooked quinoa among 4 bowls. Top each with equal portions of spinach, white beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
04 - Arrange avocado slices and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and feta cheese if using.
05 - Drizzle dressing generously over each bowl just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The protein from white beans and quinoa keeps you satisfied for hours without any heavy meat
  • That lemon-tahini dressing is addictive enough you'll want to put it on everything else too
02 -
  • The dressing thickens up in the fridge so thin it with a little warm water before serving leftovers
  • Don't skip rinsing the quinoa or your whole bowl might have an unpleasant bitter aftertaste
03 -
  • Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes to unlock their nutty flavor
  • Let the quinoa cool for 10 minutes before assembling so it doesn't wilt the spinach

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