Quinoa Chickpea Salad

🥗 Vegan Quinoa Chickpea Salad

🧺 Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• 2 cups water or vegetable broth

• 1½ cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can, drained)

• 1 cup cucumber, diced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped

• ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

• ¼ cup bell pepper, diced (optional)

Lemon dressing:

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• Salt & black pepper to taste

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook quinoa
   Bring quinoa and water to a boil. Cover, simmer 12–15 minutes.
   Fluff and cool.

2. Combine salad
   In a large bowl, mix quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, herbs, and pepper.

3. Make dressing
   Whisk all dressing ingredients until smooth.

4. Toss & rest
   Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
   Let sit 10–15 minutes so flavors mingle.

5. Serve
   Taste and adjust lemon or salt.

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🌟 Optional Add-Ins

• Avocado cubes 🥑

• Olives or capers

• Roasted sweet potato

• Toasted seeds (pumpkin or sunflower)