Spinach White Bean Protein Power Bowl (Printable)
Protein-rich bowl with white beans, spinach, quinoa, and tangy 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 - Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and set aside to cool.
02 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, water, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in small bowl until creamy and smooth. Add additional water to thin consistency if needed.
03 - Divide cooled quinoa evenly among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with equal portions of baby spinach, white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and sliced red onion.
04 - Arrange sliced avocado over each bowl. Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds and crumbled feta cheese evenly across servings.
05 - Drizzle prepared tahini dressing generously over each bowl immediately before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's the kind of meal that leaves you energized instead of heavy, like you just did something good for yourself without trying too hard
- The dressing is creamy and tangy enough that you'll want to put it on everything else you make this week
02 -
- The dressing thickens up in the fridge, so either add another splash of water or let it come to room temperature before using
- Warm quinoa slightly wilts the spinach in the best way, but if you prefer it completely crisp, let the quinoa cool completely first
03 -
- Toast your pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for 2 to 3 minutes until they're fragrant and just starting to turn golden, it makes such a difference in flavor
- If your tahini is bitter, try a different brand, because some brands roast the sesame seeds longer than others