Cashew Balsamic Quinoa Salad Food

BALSAMIC AND HERB QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water, quinoa, and bouillon granules to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Spread quinoa onto a baking sheet and refrigerate until cooled, about 30 minutes. Rinse saucepan.
• Place lima beans into the saucepan and add enough water to cover beans by 1 inch; season with salt and pepper. Cover saucepan with a lid and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until beans are cooked through but still tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain water and rinse beans under cold water to stop the cooking process; refrigerate until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Cook and stir almonds in a skillet over medium heat until toasted, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and cool almonds to room temperature, about 5 minutes.
• Mix quinoa, lima beans, almonds, tomatoes, scallions, and mozzarella cheese together in a large bowl.
• Whisk vinegar, almond oil, olive oil, Italian seasoning, basil, garlic, and salt together in a bowl until smooth; pour over quinoa mixture and stir to coat.

CASHEW BALSAMIC QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• In a blender combine all the dressing ingredients except salt and blend into a creamy smooth dressing. Keep it aside.
• In a salad bowl combine all the salad ingredients.
• Fold in the dressing and toss it well.
• Garnish with more raw cashew nuts and serve immediately.

VIBRANT CURRY CASHEW CHICKPEA QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Add in quinoa and water to a medium pot and bring mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for exactly 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from heat and fluff quinoa with a fork, then replace lid and allow quinoa to steam for 5-10 more minutes. While quinoa is cooking you can chop all your veggies.
• Once quinoa is done cooking, stir in chickpeas, peas, sesame oil, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
• Next stir in red bell pepper, shredded carrots, dried cherries, red onion, cilantro and parsley.
• Finally make your maple cayenne toasted cashews: place cashews in a skillet over medium heat. Toast cashews for 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn slightly golden brown and fragrant, then turn off heat and immediately add in maple syrup, cayenne pepper and sea salt. Stir for 30 more seconds to coat cashews, then transfer to a plate or piece of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Cashews may stick together so try to spread them in an even layer when they are cooling.
• Top quinoa with cashews and serve! Serves 4 for a main meal or 6 as a side. I suggest waiting to add cashews until you are ready to serve so they stay nice and crunchy.

CASHEW QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook quinoa with 2 cups of water (per 1 cup of uncooked quinoa). Otherwise follow package directions.
• Cool quinoa.
• Add all items through scallions.
• Mix together honey, salt, oil, garlic powder, lime juice together and add to the salad, toss to coat.
• Let the salad sit in the refrigerator a few hours to allow the flavors to meld.
• If making the night before, hold back the cashews and cranberries (mix in the day of). The cashews can get soft if they sit too long in the salad.