Quinoa Kale Salad
A nutritious and flavorful quinoa kale salad featuring tender kale, fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a healthy lunch or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
4 cups kale leaves, stems removed and chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and water is absorbed.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
While the quinoa cooks, prepare the kale by removing the stems and chopping the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
Add the chopped kale to the bowl with the warm quinoa. Massage the kale with your hands for about 2 minutes until it softens and darkens in color.
Add the cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, red onion, and chopped parsley to the quinoa and kale mixture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.