Roasted Veggies Quinoa Salad
I have been making this quinoa salad for some time now and it has been adjusted many times depending on the ingredients in my fridge. It’s simple and light, and a great choice for a winter salad. I like to add pumpkin seeds and walnuts for healthy fats, but you could use pine or pecan nuts if you prefer. Sometimes I like to include chickpeas adding more protein, this makes it even more filling. Finely blended seaweed goes well in this recipe and adds extra nutrients ie. iodine, antioxidants, minerals especially calcium, vitamins.
Ingredients
1 cup of quinoa (1.25 cups of water)
½ medium courgette, diced
1 medium sweet potato, cubed
200g pumpkin or squash, cubed
2 small onions, diced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
40g pumpkin seeds
50g walnuts
1 can of chickpeas (optional)
2 Tbsp of coconut amino
2 Tbsp of olive oil
2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar
Fresh herbs of your choice ( basil, parsley, mint, coriander)
Salt & Pepper
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).
- Add quinoa & water in a small saucepan. Bring the water to boil over medium heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let the quinoa steam with the lid on for 5 minutes. Remove lid, and set aside
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Add the pumpkin, courgette, sweet potato, tomatoes, and onion to the baking sheet.
- Mix 1 tbsp of olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, salt & pepper, and coconut amino and drizzle over the vegetables.
- Roast vegetables for 15-20 minutes, or until tender
- Toast the pumpkins in a frying pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
- Transfer the roasted vegetables, toasted pumpkins into a large bowl and add the quinoa.
- Add the remaining olive oil, chickpeas, walnuts, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix well.