Quinoa Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing

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 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

Lemon Herb Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water.

  1. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and mint.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

  6. The Quinoa Garden"

    Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled at the foot of a lush mountain range, there lived a young girl named Maya. Maya was known throughout the village for her magical garden, where she grew the most extraordinary ingredients.

    One sunny morning, Maya set out to tend to her garden, a serene oasis bursting with life. As she moved among the rows of vibrant plants, she marveled at the glistening quinoa plants, their delicate leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze.

    Today, Maya decided, she would create something special from her garden's treasures. With a skip in her step, she plucked the ripest cherry tomatoes, the crispest cucumbers, and the brightest bell peppers. She carefully harvested the fragrant mint and parsley, their fresh scents dancing in the air.

    In her cozy kitchen, Maya cooked the quinoa to fluffy perfection, each grain soaking up the essence of the mountain air. As she diced and chopped, mixed and whisked, she felt a sense of joy and anticipation building within her.

    With a flourish, Maya assembled her masterpiece - a colorful quinoa salad, each ingredient a testament to her garden's magic. The lemon herb dressing, with its tangy zest and earthy notes, brought everything together in a symphony of flavors.

    That evening, the villagers gathered for a feast under the twinkling stars. As they savored Maya's quinoa salad, they could taste the love and care she had poured into her creation. The salad disappeared quickly, each bite a tribute to the bountiful harvest of the village.

    And so, in the glow of lantern light and laughter, Maya's quinoa salad became a legend in the village. It was said that those who tasted it were filled with vitality and joy, a reminder of the magic that bloomed in Maya's garden.

    From that day on, Maya continued to share her culinary creations with the village, each dish a celebration of the simple joys found in a garden filled with love. And as the seasons turned and the years passed, the legend of Maya's quinoa garden lived on, a cherished tale whispered among the villagers for generations to come.

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