Recipe for Vegan Quinoa Salad

What is Quiona? 

Quinoa is a high-quality protein grain. It supplies all the essential amino acids in a balanced pattern. It has more calcium, phosphorus, and iron than wheat, yellow corn, and rice. It is a tiny grain no bigger than a mustard seed. 

Quinoa once fed an ancient civilization which stretched from the east coast of Chile to the snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian Andes…the Inca Empire. The Incas referred to quinoa as “The Mother Grain” It can be used as a salad, pilaf, or breakfast cereal.  

Ingredients for Vegan Quinoa Salad

• 4 cups vegetable broth ( Iuse chicken broth, but then it is not vegan)
• 1 ½ cups raw whole grain quinoa
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Dash salt & pepper, to taste

How to Make Vegan Quinoa Salad 

Prepare quinoa in vegetable broth, I prepare mine in chicken broth but then it is not vegan, but as I said I am not vegan, but I sure love this recipe. 

You will want the quinoa to cook about 15 minutes until it is nice and fluffy. It’s good to fluff it up after it cooks. It likes a good fluffing.  

While your quinoa  is cooking, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves and salt and pepper. 

When quinoa is finished cooking, allow to cool slightly then, toss with vegetables and lemon juice mix, stirring to combine well. 

Chill before serving 

As you can see this grain is a good alternative to plain rice, it provides carbohydrates but high-quality protein to help keep you full, a win win, especially when you are out riding horses or busy tending your farm. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do, it is light a refreshing with big benefits. Have you ever had quinoa before? Do you have a favorite recipe, would love to hear, leave a comment, I read them all!

Have a happy 4th of July!

♥ Lisa