Superfood Quinoa Salad

We love quinoa for its versatility, simplicity and for being dense in protein. For this summer-inspired salad, you’ll get all your superfoods in one dish, feeding the skin and the body with antioxidants. It’s a perfect salad to bring to a pool party or enjoy at a picnic.

Ingredients For Salad:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups water

1 cup spinach

1 cup diced Persian cucumber

1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes

1 can chickpeas

½ cup coarsely chopped basil and mint

½ cup hemp hearts and pepitas combined

Ingredients For Dressing:

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon sea salt

Juice from 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa and cook with water over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered until the water is completely absorbed. Turn off heat and fluff up the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool.

2. In a large bowl combine the cucumber, spinach, tomatoes and chickpeas. In a small bowl whisk the ingredients for the dressing together.

3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl and then add the fluffed and cooled quinoa. Toss the salad well and add the chopped fresh basil and mint along with the hemp hearts and pepitas. Add salt and pepper to taste.