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Broccoli salad blitzed in a food processor and topped with quinoa, carrots, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Easy, healthy, filling, plant-based, vegan recipe

Blitzed Salad (A Root Formula)

Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins
Yield: 4 people as a main dish

Description

With the help of a food processor, this salad comes together quickly. No need to wash the food processor bowl between chops. Better to under-process than over-process this salad (you don’t want cauliflower rice), if a few pieces aren’t breaking down, simply dump out the vegetables and hand-chop the rest. If you don’t have a food processor, rough chop everything instead and make the dressing in the blender. Feel free to experiment with other grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, onions, herbs, etc. See our combos below.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup quinoa
  • Salt
  • 1 pound Vegetable: broccoli crowns, cored cauliflower florets, cored cabbage (cut into large chunks), or Brussel sprouts (trimmed)
  • 4 ounces (1 large carrot is about 4 oz) carrot (cut into large chunks) and/or radishes (trimmed) and/or apples (cut into small dice)
  • 1/2 cup each: diced red onion, dried fruit, chopped roasted nuts/seeds
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, optional
  • 2 tablespoons each: apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Bring 1 1/2 cups of water, a light sprinkling of salt, and the quinoa to boil over medium-high heat in a small covered saucepan. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let quinoa stand a few minutes longer. Spread quinoa onto a small baking sheet to cool.
  • Meanwhile, place Vegetable of choice in a food processor; pulse to chop, 15 to 20 short bursts. Dump into a large bowl and then pulse carrot (or radishes) to chop, 15 to 20 short bursts; add to bowl, along with red onion, dried fruit, nuts/seeds, and optional herbs. If using apple, add it now. (If dried fruit or nuts need chopping, blitz them in the food processor).
  • Add vinegars, mustard, sugar, a light sprinkling of salt and several grinds of pepper to the food processor. Process to combine; With motor running, slowly add olive oil to make a smooth, emulsified dressing. Add to salad, toss, and serve.