Quinoa Spring Salad with Simple Cider Vinaigrette

Cooking the quinoa in advance makes this salad especially quick to prepare!

Salad

1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen green peas (plus 2 cups/500 mL boiling water to soak peas)
3 cups (750 mL) cooked quinoa, cooled
1 cup (250 mL) red bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup (60 mL) green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (125 mL) cucumber, seeds removed, diced
1/4 cup (60 mL) green pistachios
1/4 cup (60 mL) shelled hempseed nuts
3 Tbsp (45 mL) parsley, cilantro, or basil, chopped
1/4 tsp (1 mL) sea salt
1/4 cup (60 mL) Simple Cider Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

In bowl, soak frozen peas in boiling water. Let sit until peas have warmed through. Drain peas and pat dry. In large bowl, combine peas with remaining ingredients. Toss through to mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate in airtight container.

Makes 5 to 6 servings.

For 6 servings, each serving contains: 214 calories; 10 g protein; 7 g fat (1 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrates; 5 g fibre; 87 mg sodium

Dessing

This tangy yet simple vinaigrette works well in the quinoa salad, as it doesn’t compete with the other ingredients.

1/4 cup (60 mL) apple cider vinegar
1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp (2 mL) sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 Tbsp (25 mL) pure maple syrup
1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp (75 mL) extra-virgin olive oil

With hand blender or in blender, purée all ingredients except oil. Continue blending and drizzle in oil. Season to taste with additional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

Each 1/4 cup (60 mL) serving contains: 169 calories; 1 g protein; 17 g fat (2 g sat. fat; 0 g trans fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrates; 0 g fibre; 788 mg sodium

Source: "Quinoa", alive #333, July 2010