BLT & Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette + 5 Quick & Easy Family Dinner Favorites

Are you ready to simplify your family dinner routine? This yummy BLT and Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette {Gluten Free, Low FODMAP} + 5 more QUICK & EASY family dinner favorites, may be just what you’re looking for!

After a summer of sleeping in, hanging out with friends and neighbors and playing in the streets until dark, followed by relaxed, late night suppers, your family, like mine, is probably ready to get back to a dinner routine. And, with research continuing to support the importance of regular family dinners {healthier foods eaten, less likelihood of obesity, better grades, getting your kids to open up and talk to you-so true!, and more} , this is one “routine” you don’t want to skip. That’s why I love this month’s Recipe ReDux theme, Back to The Dinner Table…

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday/vacation season, August is the time many families get ‘back to routine.’ Show us your favorite recipe to help families get ‘back to the dinner table.’ It might be a favorite family recipe from your childhood that you’ve ReDuxed; or maybe it’s your family’s current favorite. Let’s all gather back at the table!

This super simple BLT and Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, made with only 9 ingredients, 1 knife + chopping board, 2 dishes, and your microwave, was inspired by this recipe, along with one of my own childhood dinner favorites-a good old fashioned BLT sandwich!

Our BLT Sandwich ingredients were simple enough…

Bread {usually whole wheat or sourdough}, large slices of juicy tomatoes, lettuce {always iceberg}, and bacon. Of course.

Oh, and don’t forget the Miracle Whip!

While my family and I still enjoy the occasional BLT Sandwich, this BLT and Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette definitely takes things up several notches on the nutrition level, with the addition of protein and fiber rich quinoa, baby spinach in place of the iceberg lettuce, heart healthy {and delicious!} creamy avocado, and, last but not least, maple vinaigrette to add a hint of sweetness sans Miracle Whip.

My kids love it. Mr. Spicy loves it. I love it.

And, I hope you {and your family} do too!

BLT & Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 9 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Are you ready to simplify your family dinner routine? This yummy BLT and Avocado Quinoa Salad with Maple Vinaigrette may be just what you're looking for!

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Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked frozen quinoa*
• 3 cups baby spinach finely chopped
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half
• 10 ounces bacon cooked
• 1 large avocado chopped
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons golden balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

• Remove the quinoa from the freezer pouch, place in a large microwave safe mixing bowl, and cook in a microwave according to directions.
• While the quinoa is cooking, chop the spinach, tomatoes, and set aside.
• Layer the bacon between paper towels, in a microwave safe glass dish, and cook on high until crisp {approximately 8 minutes}.
• While the bacon is cooking, remove the pit and skin from the avocado, chop, and set aside with tomatoes and spinach.
• Chop the bacon in to small pieces after it has cooked, then add it, along with the tomatoes, spinach, and avocado to the mixing bowl with the quinoa.
• Add the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and sea salt to the rest of the ingredients, then stir until well combined.
• Serve warm immediately, or may be made ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator, then served cold.

Notes

1. To make a low FODMAP version, use 1/2 avocado total instead of 1 avocado, and decrease the amount of cherry tomatoes to tolerance OR use regular tomatoes instead, which are lower in FODDMAPs.
2. You can find pre-cooked frozen quinoa at Trader Joe's {you will need 2 1/2 boxes for this recipe}, or check your local grocery store. If you can't find frozen quinoa, combine 1 cup well rinsed raw quinoa with 2 cups water in a medium pot. Heat on high until boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook covered for ~ 15 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then stir with a fork before adding the rest of your ingredients.
3. This is a one-dish meal. All you need to round it out, is a little fresh fruit on the side!

COURSE :Main Dish, Salad

CUISINE :American, Gluten Free, Low FODMAP

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 673kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 924mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 51.5% | Vitamin C: 34.3% | Calcium: 7.1% | Iron: 21.6%

Did you like this recipe?Be sure & let me know! Leave a comment, share it, or give it a 5-star review! Did you make it? Tag me @thespicyrd or #thespicyrd I love seeing your delicious recipe re-creations!

Of course, I couldn’t leave you without a few more of our family favorite quick and easy dinner ideas, so here you go…

5 More Quick & Easy {Gluten Free} Family Dinner Favorites

1. Quick & Easy Chicken and Veggie Stir Fried Rice + Fresh Orange Slices with Cinnamon
2. Easy Homemade “Cream” of Tomato Soup + Grilled Cheese Sandwiches + Grapes
3. Pasta with Homemade Pesto + Salad + Apple Slices
4. Greek Salad Bowls with Avocado Tzatziki + Fresh Berries
5. Breakfast for Dinner–>Pear Dutch Baby + Greek Yogurt topped with Wild Blueberries {find in freezer section}

And don’t leave without checking out all the other delicious family dinner ideas my Recipe ReDux friends are cooking up this month! (Note: Not all of these recipes in the link-up are gluten free)

Click here for more delicious family friendly meal ideas–>An InLinkz Link-up

Let’s chat!

1. What are your  biggest challenges getting family dinner on the table?
2. What are your favorite quick and easy dinner ideas?
3. What are your favorite family dinner conversation topics? 

If you enjoyed this post & recipe I’d love for you to share it! Thanks so much for your support in helping me spread the word that healthy IS delicious!