Versatile Quinoa Salad

Let's face it Quinoa is your new best friend if you're gluten free or vegan. If you have this salad-like dish in your back pocket, you will never be hungry, and you will always feel superior for knowing how to make quinoa a dozen different ways. 

Although I like to go with Kale, lentils, and shallot, you can add whatever you like to the mix. Corn, red onion, and quinoa are totally delicious, as is broccoli and quinoa with a lemon dressing. Here's a family's go-to quinoa salad; please make it your own. 

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes

Makes: 10 servings

Ingredients

For the quinoa:

1 cup quinoa

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 shallot, chopped

1 garlic lcove, minced

1 head kale, deveined and roughly chopped

2 cups cooked lentils

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

For the Dressing:

2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari

1 tablespoon sesame oil

4 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Garlic clove, smashed, skin discarded

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3 green onions, finally chopped

1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the quinoa and cook, covered, over low heat for 10 to 15 mnutes, or until the water has been absorbed. set aside. 

2. in a medium sacepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the shallot and garlic and saute until translucent. Add the kale and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. 

3. Add the quinoa and lentils to the skillet and heat thoroughly. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

4.Make the dressing: In a cruet or mason jar with a lid, combine the dressing ingredients and shake well. season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Transfer the quinoa mixture to a serving bowl and top with green onions and dressing. 

source: Gluten is my bitch by April peveteaux