Quinoa, which is technically a seed, also packs a strong protein-punch.It often makes a great substitute for starchy rice and pasta, and you can cook it like an upma, use it in a salad and even toss some vegetables and cook it like a light, healthy pulao.It is perhaps one of the most perfect non animal source of protein. It is excellent option for people following gluten free diet, since it is completely gluten free.
Quinoa salads are a favourite with us and in fact we have them as our complete meal . Yes, we enjoy them for our dinner. I combined chick peas , broccoli , carrots and lots of nuts to the quinoa . Chickpeas , broccoli and pecans are a high source of protein and make this into a healthy salad.The dressing is simple , and the salad has a medley of flavours . The pecans ,the pistachios and the apricots are definitely the high light of the salad.
I have a great liking for Moroccan Cuisine and I specially like The Moroccan Chick pea salad . This salad is also Moroccan and I have adapted it from here. I have made some changes , in fact one can vary the salad with lots of options , depending on your personal choice . For now I will tell you what all I used to make it a Protein Rich salad .
Moroccan Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
11/2 cups cooked quinoa
1/2 cup carrots, batons
1/2 cup broccoli , lightly blanched
1/4 cup pecans
1/8 cup pistachios
8-10 dried apricots
2 tbsp coriander leaves
Dressing
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red chilly powder
Method
Boil the quinoa as per instructions on the package.
Let the quinoa come to room temperature before mixing anything .
Keep a pot of water to boil .
Add the broccoli flowers , as soon as it comes up with a boil , immediately remove and transfer it to cold water. This will stop further cooking. Drain and keep aside.
Cut the carrots into thin batons , you could immerse them in hot water for a few seconds and transfer these to cold water .
Immersing in hot water is purely optional , you could use raw carrot too.
Chop the nuts and apricots .
Mix quinoa , broccoli , carrots ,chickpeas half the nuts and apricots.
Add the dressing ingredients to a mason jar , shake well and top the salad with it .
Use the rest of nuts for garnish .
Moroccan Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
- 11/2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup carrots batons
- 1/2 cup broccoli lightly blanched
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/8 cup Pistachios
- 8-10 dried apricots
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves
Dressing
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red chilly powder
Instructions
- Boil the quinoa as per instructions on the package.
- Let the quinoa come to room temperature before mixing anything .
- Keep a pot of water to boil .
- Add the broccoli flowers , as soon as it comes up with a boil , immediately remove and transfer it to cold water. This will stop further cooking. Drain and keep aside.
- Cut the carrots into thin batons , you could immerse them in hot water for a few seconds and transfer these to cold water .
- Immersing in hot water is purely optional , you could use raw carrot too.
- Chop the nuts and apricots .
- Mix quinoa , broccoli , carrots ,chickpeas half the nuts and apricots.
- Add the dressing ingredients to a mason jar , shake well and top the salad with it .
- Use the rest of nuts for garnish .
Notes
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That salad looks so tempting even to someone like me who avoids salads. Apricots and quinoa and veggies make the complete package and your presentation is top notch!
The salad looks fantastic Vaishali and so colourful with all those components!…what a filing meal this makes!
Love the addition of pecans, apricots and pistachios. What a great melange of textures and flavours. Definitely a delicious salad.
I am a big fan of quinoa as well. I am out of it now and it’s time to restock it again. I usually use it as a rice substitute with the usual dal and curry but make salads too every now and then. This salad makes a good healthy and filling meal and it’s so nice to look at the bright colors as well.
Such a bright and colourful salad with Quinoa. Moroccan cuisine is one of my favourites. Bookmarking to try it soon.
The salad is absolutely yummy and delicious!! Beautiful bowl.
That’s a filling salad and oh boy you have so much patience to assemble them in pretty way.
I love it. We can eat this salad anyday, anytime. Will make it a little later when I start eating cholay.
Quinoa is my favourite too and they are definitely a complete meal. Havent tasted with chickpea. Must have tasted awesome.
OMG ! I am so smitten with this esp the addition of apricots, which again is a protein source itself 🙂 lovely lovely bowl of hearty food….
A protein rich salad, Vaishali. It looks so so delicious. Bookmarking it as I love salads with loads of different ingredients in them.
Am a great fan of quinoa and this Moroccan salad sounds just prefect for me to make some soon. And love the way you have presented that bowl, fantastic.
Salad looks lovely with all those colorful ingredients. Very filling meal.
That is a beautiful bowl of salad Vaishali. I havent used Quinoa in salads. Will have to try this soon