I know it’s winter. I’ve looked outside – no need to remind me. This is what I see. SNOW.

Yes, it may be gloomy and snowy (but somewhat pretty, right?). But still, we all need a pop of color sometimes. And bright salads. All year round – don’t we? While I do enjoy eating seasonally, I do also enjoy salads in winter (and soup in the summer). And since we go meatless on Fridays during Lent, here’s an easy meatless meal you can enjoy  then – or even for Meatless Monday or any day of the week.

Asian Quinoa Cabbage Salad with Almond Dressing

Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa* – I like red quinoa, but other varieties should work fine
• ¼ cup all natural almond butter*
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (or more, based on taste) Sriracha
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 2 cups shredded cabbage – I like using 1 cup red and 1 cup green for color
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• few handfuls chopped cilantro
• ½ cup chopped unsalted cashews*

Here’s what you do:

1. While the quinoa is cooking, you can make the nutty Asian dressing. To do so, mix the almond butter and honey in a medium bowl. Add in soy sauce, vinegar, Sriracha and water and mix well until dressing is smooth. and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy.**
2. Mix half of the dressing with the cooked quinoa.
3. Add in vegetables – cabbage, pepper, carrots and then add in remaining dressing.
4. Before serving, top with cilantro and cashews.  Add more Sriracha if you like more spice and enjoy!

Mine made four servings – perfect for dinner and lunch leftovers!

*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, but thanks to Swanson Health for providing some of the ingredients (quinoa, cashews, almond butter).  My views and comments are solely my own and do not represent those of Swanson. AND I’ll  be doing a giveaway so you can get some goodies too, soon 🙂

**I used all natural crunchy almond butter which is pretty oily – if you were using a less oily spread you may need to microwave the almond butter first or add in a little oil / more water to get your consistency to be dressing-like.

Some questions for you:

• Do you eat seasonal?
• What’s your favorite hot sauce?

For more vegetarian posts, check out some of my past recipes or visit the linkup below! I’m linking up with Sarah and Confessions of a Mother Runner.