I have been craving a fresh wholesome salad lately. It's just so refreshing to eat something tasty but also light during the warmer months. I decided to grab some ingredients to put together a quinoa salad! I have never made this before but I think this came out so yummy! It would be perfect for lunch or a dinner side and I also think your kids would find this tasty too since it has a fresh but not overpowering, taste. BONUS: its packed with nutrients and lots of healthy wholesome goodness for everyone!
Materials you will need:
Large bowls ( Mine are on sale today! These are the best I use them all the time!!!)
Small bowls (I use these glass bowls so much. A great kitchen staple)
THE DETAILS:
(FYI I doubled this recipe so I could have it for a few days for lunch)
Okay so first make your quinoa by using the directions on your quinoa box. I use organic original quinoa but you can definitely use multi color too if you wanted! I would recommend staying with organic quinoa. Free of pesticides and chemicals =) So while that is cooking prep all your other ingredients. Wash all your produce. Chop and peel your cucumber, in this recipe today I did not use bell pepper but you most certainly can add anything else you want to jazz up your salad to your liking! Then I chopped the red onion and I used half because *****I doubled this recipe. So keep in mind if you are only making a small batch then use 1/4 of the red onion, unless you like a lot! Do you!
Then chop your fresh parsley (I eyeballed it like I typically do, about a palm full of fresh parsley). Drain and rinse the chickpeas - I opened the can and then I strained them with water and set them aside. This is where if you were using bell pepper or grape tomatoes, etc., you would chop those ingredients.
Now its time to make the dressing! Press your 2 cloves of garlic or finely mince it up! Then add it so a small mixing bowl. Add your lemon juice, red wine vinegar and olive oil last to the bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Mix it up then set that aside.
Until my quinoa finished I used this time to clean up some of my mess so I wouldn't have a huge mess at the end. I try to do that often and it helps A LOT! Highly recommend.
Once your quinoa is done cooking add it to a large bowl where you are going to be mixing everything together. Let the quinoa sit for a few minutes to cool.
Then it's time to add everything together! Add in all your ingredients and then pour your dressing on top! I had some extra shredded carrots in my fridge so I figured I would throw some in this time. Next time I might leave them out because they are not imperative to the taste, they just add that extra CRUNCH!
Now as I am mixing and cooking I always taste test along the way in case there is anything additional I feel like I need to add. Everyone has their own preference so you can add more or less of whatever you choose! This is your cooking =) After everything is mixed let the salad marinate for a few minutes before enjoying. The taste will also increase once you put this in the fridge and it soaks up all the flavors!
What I would absolutely add next time for pizzazz are chopped avocados and some crumbled pita chips on top, YUMMMM!!!! I can't wait to add that tomorrow when I have this for lunch!
Be sure to tag me if you make this! I would LOVE to see you all enjoying it! @loyal_ivy or you can also tag me on my home account @the_vintage loft
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