copycat chipotle dressing with fiesta quinoa salad

copycat chipotle dressing with fiesta quinoa salad

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I have a slight confession to make.

I eat at Chipotle mostly for their Honey Vinaigrette dressing.

I have this weird obsession with it. Maybe it’s just the sweet and spicy thing, I’m not sure. But I’ve been known to ask for multiple containers of the dressing just so I can bring it home and savory it all week-long.

In one thought I feel horrible admitting that to you and in another breath I’m just a human being and I want to believe you like me more for admitting that….right?

Regardless this dressing is a winner and I’ve found a LOT of ways to use it. Mostly because I think it is the best tasting thing ever. But let me list some ways to give you an idea;

• Used for a meat marinade (chicken, beef, shrimp, whatever you have)
• Marinade for roasting vegetables
• In place of the mayonnaise base for coleslaw
• As a salad dressing (of course)
• Over this fiesta quinoa salad

Now here’s the scoop on the dressing. It can be made two ways. One with actual chipotle peppers in adobe sauce and one with this chipotle flavored olive oil. I prefer the flavored olive oil because it doesn’t have as bold of a chipotle flavor that the real deal brings. Not to mention the adobe sauce is a little smokey for my taste buds.

I do however, like them both ways. If you happen to skip the flavored olive oil and use regular EVOO then just slowly add the chipotle peppers until you get to your desired liking. It takes a little playing with at first to figure it out but DON’T MISS THIS PART! 

Moving on….

I have to tell you why I made this recipe. If you’ve been following along on my e-mail list then you know I’ve been fighting some crazy microbes, household toxins, etc this last year and my body is just backed up.

It’s bruised and broken.

So in order to kickstart it back into healthy functioning I knew I needed to do a little detox.

One of my favorite detox foods is cilantro. Cilantro (and most fresh herbs) is a powerhouse of nutrients. In fact most fresh herbs out number fruits and vegetables in antioxidants and phytochemicals. I made this fiesta salad with over one cup fresh cilantro for the purpose of just filling our bodies with a ton of nutritional compounds. The very thing they need at this point.

Now I know cilantro for most people is either something they love or hate. Take it or leave it but regardless take note at how beneficial fresh herbs are in our diets!

Speaking of cilantro specifically, check out some benefits from this powerful herb alone:

• Can help rid the body of heavy metals – Cilantro, scientifically known as “coriandrum satvum” has been shown to bind heavy metal toxins together, loosening them from tissue and facilitating their elimination from the body {source}.
• Protects against oxidative stress – Oxidative stress is linked to almost all disease processes. Because of cilantro’s strong antioxidant properties, in part due to the flavonoid quercetin, it helps to protect against the damage caused by free radicals {source}.
• Lowers anxiety and improves sleep – Cilantro has natural sedative effects and in fact a recent study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology found that high levels of cilantro extract produce the same levels of anti-anxiety effects as the popular prescription drug, Valium {source}.
• Help lower blood sugar levels – This happens because cilantro helps support healthy liver function which then is able to balance blood sugar accordingly. Given that the liver is the main powerhouse in metabolism and elimination {source}.
• Protects against cardiovascular disease – One of the main nutrients in cilantro is potassium which allows the body to have better control of blood pressure because it lessens the effects of sodium in the body {source}.
• Prevents urinary tract infections – Next to phyochemicals and antioxidants, cilantro has great antibacterial compounds that help keep the urinary tract healthy and free of unhealthy bacteria.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. Yet, it is obvious that cilantro has benefits so now the question is how do we maximize it? Besides for adding it to smoothies, I also try to add it to most salads (depending on cuisine), quinoa and brown rice as well as in pesto and with roasted vegetables.

I’ve also made it almost a base in this recipe with quinoa, red cabbage, beans, corn, tomato, avocado and shredded chicken. My heart has stopped!

Seriously, this mixture can be made ahead of time in a large batch and eaten all week by itself, with additional protein, on a baked sweet potato, made into a soup or as a salad. This my friend is a great idea for a quick and easy lunch that is both satisfying as well as providing some pretty amazing health benefits.

Enjoy!

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

 

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PREP TIME

20 MINS

TOTAL TIME

20 MINS

 

Author: Alexa Schirm

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups whole kernel corn
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
• 2 avocados, peeled and sliced
• ½ of a small red cabbage thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (stems removed if possible)
• 3 cups spinach, chopped
• 2 cups quinoa
• 2 cups shredded chicken (optional)
• 1-2 tsp lime juice
• course salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Toss and add dressing. Toss again and enjoy.

 

Copycat Chipotle Dressing

 

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PREP TIME

5 MINS

TOTAL TIME

5 MINS

 

Author: Alexa Schirm

Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 Tbsp fresh or freeze-dried oregano
• 1½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1½ chipotle peppers in Adobe sauce (omit if using flavored olive oil)
• 1¼ cup chipotle flavored olive oil (use regular olive oil if adding chipotle peppers)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all ingredients except olive oil to a blender.
2. Blend on high slowly incorporating olive oil in a thin stream.
3. Once mixed, serve and enjoy.
4. Keep refrigerated to use within two weeks.
5. Shake before using.

source:https://simplerootswellness.com/copycat-chipotle-dressing-with-fiesta-quinoa-salad/