Recipe: Pesto Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables 

Author: Allie, Hamama Happiness Team Member

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Makes: 4-6 Servings

I love quinoa! It cooks up in about 15 minutes & is incredibly versatile and healthy. This is the perfect salad to make ahead of time and have for lunch throughout the week. It makes a great side dish to share as well! If you wanted to, adding a poached egg or tofu would be delicious!

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups water or veggie broth
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus extra, to taste)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ cup bell pepper, diced
• 7 oz to 10 oz fresh baby spinach & arugula
• 3/4 cup english peas
• 1 cup shaved brussels sprouts
• 1 small bunch asparagus trimmed and chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/3 cup prepared pesto
• 1/3 cup raw walnuts toasted and chopped
• 1 avocado peeled, diced
• Feta cheese crumbles to taste [can sub shaved parmesan or goat cheese]

For serving:

• Balsamic vinegar
• Giardiniera
• Hamama microgreens

Instructions: 

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Add oil to a large non-stick skillet and heat to medium-high. Add onion, garlic, bell peppers, chopped asparagus and saute, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes.Then add in the peas and shaved brussels sprouts and cook until veggies are tender. Finally, toss in the tomatoes.
3. Add chopped spinach and arugula the skillet and stir. Cover and cook until it has just wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the cooked quinoa, lemon zest, sea salt, and pesto and stir well until combined.
4. Gently stir in the diced avocado, toasted walnuts, and feta and taste for flavor. Add more sea salt to taste.
5. When serving, I like to stir in some spicy giardiniera :D along with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and top with fresh microgreens!  

*Note: you can chill the pesto quinoa in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve before adding the avocado, walnuts, and feta. Quinoa salad can be served either warm or cold!

ENJOY!