Monday, July 12, 2021

Quinoa Salad with Summer Produce


quinoa and chickpea salad

If you are looking for a great quinoa salad that is easy, healthy, and filling- this is it. 

Quinoa, chickpeas, and summer produce such as red and yellow cherry tomatoes, scallions, colorful mini sweet peppers, shredded carrots, sliced black olives, parsley, and fresh basil, makes an easy, light, yet filling meal for dinner. 
 
veggie salad

Do you like to eat light in the summer but run out of healthy salad ideas? Grains or pseudo seed grains, such as quinoa, mix well with chopped veggies to make an easy tasty salads. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

Quinoa, Cereal, Food, Jar, Teaspoon


Quinoa Comes Out Perfect Cooked In The Instant Pot
The quinoa can be cooked in a pot on the stove top or in the Instant Pot. I always cook mine in the Instant Pot for tjust wo minutes (link to recipe) and then allow it to slow release for 12 minutes. It comes out light and fluffy every time- just perfect.

Bowl of white fluffy quinoa

For the chickpeas and you can either make your own on the stove top or instant pot or just open a can. It’s your choice!

Both quinoa and chickpeas provide enough significant protein to make this flavorful vegan salad a complete meal. 

Sometimes I use romaine lettuce leaves to scoop up the salad. 

Ingredients: 
2 cups of white quinoa, washed well and cooked
2 cups of cooked and drained chickpeas
1/2 cup of sliced scallions
1/2 cup of sliced black olives ( I used a small can of sliced olives)
2 cups of chopped cherry tomatoes (red and yellow)
1 cup of chopped mini peppers ( any color) 
1 large organic carrot, shredded ( I grated mine) 
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil


Directions: 
Mix everything together, toss with your favorite Italian or Greek salad dressing and serve.


Shared on

Deb's Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sunday where anyone can share a soup, salad, or sammie recipe. 

Notes: 

1. I took the photos before I added the quinoa to the salad ( Just a goof up). Sorry.

2. Since I no longer use oil (I do eat healthy fats- avocado, nuts, seeds but I am oil-free)- I dressed the salad with just lemon for myself. 

3. This salad is vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free before adding dressing.


9 comments:

  1. I like quinoa. This looks delightful and makes a wonderful meal!

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  2. Quinoa is on my recent list of new foods to experiment with. My last quinoa salad also had rice, green peas, fresh mushrooms, and garden herbs. I used extra vegetarian stock in the quinoa as a dressing in place of excess oil, though I'm not oil-free. Your idea of chick peas is good.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  3. we take a salad mix of quinoa and veg with us on our cycling trips. We love it and it is so filling.

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  4. What a delicious combination!....I love quinoa, and in salad I love it during summer!.....it looks delicious!.......Abrazotes, Marcela

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  5. Believe it or not, I've never tried quinoa. I hear good things, though. Even if it does make me think of that Progressive commercial where they pronounce it Joaquin, LOL. Gorgeous food pics as always!

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  6. I like quinoa, although oddly enough it's been a couple of years since I've used it. Time to buy some more! Anyway, we love salads at this time of the year, and this looks excellent. Thanks!

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  7. It looks bright and healthy and satisfying. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week! ;-)

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  8. I just made a quinoa tabbouleh last week. I love these kind of salads in the summer. Thanks for the IP tip!

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