Heart Healthy Quinoa Salad

Photo: Heart-healthy Quinoa Salad
Everyone loves this delicious, filling quinoa salad! It's vegan, gluten-free, will give you steady energy for hours and will keep your heart healthy.
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients

Quinoa

  • 2 cups dried quinoa
  • 3 1/2 cups of water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Dressing

  • 2 Tablespoons tamari, shoyu, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew or sunflower seed)
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • juice from 1-2 limes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • pinch of cayenne pepper

Salad

  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 pack frozen edamame, prepared according to package directions
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 10 olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon hemp seeds
Instructions
  1. Rinse quinoa gently under running water to remove any dust. Bring a small pot to medium heat and lightly toast the quinoa. Add the water and garlic powder, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed. Once done, remove cover and let stand for 15 minutes, then fluff with a fork, and allow to cool. (Alternatively, you can cook the quinoa in an Instant Pot or rice cooker).
  2. While quinoa is cooking, combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, taste for seasoning, and set aside.
  3. Place the salad ingredients and cooled quinoa in a large bowl and add the dressing, tossing gently to coat. Season with additional salt, if desired.
  4. Serve room temperature or chilled.