To cook the quinoa, add the dry quinoa to a fine mesh strainer and rinse it until the water runs clear. Transfer the drained quinoa to a small saucepan and cover it with 3 cups of fresh water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, remove the pan from the heat but keep the lid on for an additional 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and set it aside to cool.
To prepare the dressing, add the peanut butter, lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and salt to a 16-ounce glass mason jar. Use a whisk to stir well, then add in water, just a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a consistency you like. Keep in mind that this dressing will thicken when chilled, so you may need to add more water later, too. (Up to a 1/4 cup total.) Secure the lid on the jar and store in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Prepare any toppings you like, such as the drained chickpeas, sliced peppers, shredded cabbage or lettuce, and green onions, and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. This will be a like a "salad bar" in your fridge, so everything is ready to go when you are ready to eat.
To assemble a lunch bowl, start with a base of cooked quinoa (about ¾ cup per serving), and add your favorite toppings, such as a ½ cup chickpeas, 1 to 2 cups of assorted raw or cooked veggies, and then top it off with a generous drizzle of dressing (about 3 tablespoons). Stir well with your fork to distribute the dressing, then enjoy! The individual components will keep well in the fridge for up to a week.
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is for 1 of 8 servings, assuming you use the portions suggested above. For more protein, add baked chicken breasts or baked tofu on top.Quinoa bowls are easy to customize, so feel free to use any other veggies or toppings you have on hand. You can also use a different sauce or dressing to change up the flavor each week. Be sure to check out the sauces and dressings section in this post for more ideas.