Lemon Quinoa and Chickpea Salad

Serves 3 – 4

Ingredients

1 cup dry quinoa (I used tri-color)

1 3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 cups cooked or 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups cucumber, quartered and thinly sliced

1 red or yellow bell pepper (about 1 cup), diced

1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half

3/4 cup carrots, diced small

1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced

1/2 – 1 cup parsley, chopped

2 – 3 juicy lemons (about 1/4 – 1/3 cup), juice of

red pepper flakes, optional

mineral salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse quinoa: In a fine mesh sieve rinse quinoa under cool running water.

Cook quinoa: In a large pot, combine water, quinoa and garlic powder, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove cover and let set 10 – 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Prep veggies: While the quinoa is cooking prep the veggies.

Assemble salad: Once quinoa is ready, add the chickpeas, carrots, cucumber, scallions, bell pepper, tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice and spices, mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. I love serving mine with more lemon juice drizzled on top. Avocado slices would be a great addition too!

Recipe by: leapforjoey