Vegan Hawaiian Lunch: Tropical Quinoa Salad with Grilled Pineapple & Avocado Sushi Rolls

Allergens

None, if using gluten-free soy sauce and substituting almonds for tree nuts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 cups pineapple, cut into bite
• sized pieces
• 4 avocados, halved and pitted
• 4 sheets nori seaweed
• 2 cups sushi rice, cooked and seasoned with rice vinegar and sugar
• Soy sauce for serving (gluten
• free, if necessary)

Instructions

1. Prepare quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water, then add it to a medium pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and sliced almonds. Toss to mix well. Grill pineapple: Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Lightly oil the grates and place the pineapple pieces on them. Cook for about 2 3 minutes per side until lightly charred and tender. Remove from grill and let cool slightly. Assemble sushi rolls: Place a nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat, shiny side down. Spread a thin, even layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving a small border at the top. Flip the rice over to make it easier to spread. Place a few avocado slices in a line across two thirds of the rice, followed by grilled pineapple pieces. Roll the sushi: Using the bamboo mat as a guide, roll the nori into a tight cylinder, pressing gently but firmly as you go. Once rolled, use the mat to press and shape the roll evenly. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to create 4 sushi rolls. Slice the rolls: Using a sharp knife, slice each roll into 6 equal pieces.

Chef’s Insight

For an extra touch, serve quinoa salad in a pineapple bowl! Simply cut off the top of a fresh pineapple and scoop out the flesh to create a hollow container for the salad.

Notes

Ensure your quinoa is rinsed well to remove any bitter coating. - Use ripe avocados for the sushi rolls, as they will be easier to work with and taste better.