Quinoa Salad with Summer Produce

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. 

 

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 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.

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.