avocado and chickpea quinoa salad

May 23, 2013


I just can't get enough of salads, and one of my absolute favourites is this delicious avocado and chickpea one. The recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, but with no time to run to the store, I decided to sub in some yams and it was delish! Quinoa is one of my go-to foods & super easy to love because it's a complete protein, low in fat and incredibly versatile. I also make a mean chocolate quinoa pudding - I'll have to share that next.

You'll need: 

1/2 cup dry quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
2 cups spinach
1 cup cilantro
1/4 cup onion
2 teaspoons garlic
2 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 avocados, chopped
1 lemon, zested
2 lemons, juiced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Instructions: 

Rinse your quinoa and add to pot with vegetable broth. Turn your stove top to medium-high and bring your quinoa to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, chop your spinach (or wild mixed greens), cilantro, onion, garlic, and pop it all in a bowl. Add your chickpeas and mix. Once your quinoa is cooled, add it your bowl along with your tomatoes (I used yams) and set aside.

Now for the last little bit, you'll want to make your dressing. Whisk: lemon, Dijon mustard, olive oil, agave nectar and cumin. Add salt & pepper to taste. Pour over salad and mix. Set your salad aside for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Then top with avocado and serve. Enjoy!

I found this recipe from The Kind Life with Alicia Silverstone

14 sweet notes:

  1. yum! i'll have to try this. sounds delicious.

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  2. mmmmmm I love any kind of salad with quinoa! I'll save this to try soon.

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  3. Yummy..I love quinoa salads, and i will def have to try this one out! Thanks for the delicious recipe! Wow chocolate pudding quinoa! that sounds amazing too..hope you post that soon:)

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  4. I wanna try this! It looks great! But, sorry to make your veggie heart bleed, I will probably make it as a side dish to chicken fillets or something! #evil carnivore. :P

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    1. Aw, no worries Gwen. My hubby is a meat eater and usually has the salad as a side dish too! ;) Let me know how you like it!! xo

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  5. This sounds delish, V! I have to admit, even in the summer, I'm a warm food girl... I often take quinoa salad recipes and serve them hot, and I think I'll do that with this one, too, because it's sounds too good to miss out on just because I don't want to eat it cold. Especially with the addition of my fave, yams. Yum!
    xox,
    Cee

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    1. Agreed. I let my salads sit out and serve them at room temp - honestly, so much tastier!! xo

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  6. Oh man, that looks so delicious! Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to try this for sure.

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  7. I love avocado soooo much! Your salad looks delicious! :)

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  8. I am obsessed with both quinoa and avocados so I can't WAIT to make this! Looks delicious!

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  9. All my favorite ingredients in one salad? Sounds genius!

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  10. Looks yum! I bought some quinoa the other day.

    Carina xx
    http://www.carstina.com/

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  11. Wow, Veronika, this recipe looks incredible. I'll definitely have to try it out soon. I'm just starting to experiment with chickpeas - I've never had them until recently - and now that I'm working full-time I have zero spare time to research healthy and filling recipes for an on-the-go lunch; this would really fit the bill! And please do share the recipe for that pudding too - I love quinoa, but other than a couple of basic recipes, I have no idea what to do with it.

    Wishing you a great, relaxing weekend ahead!

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