QUINOA VEGETABLE SALAD

Quinoa Vegetable Salad image

Provided by JANELLECOLE

Time 1h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
¼ cup diced (yellow or purple) onion
2 ½ cups water
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups quinoa
¾ cup diced fresh tomato
¾ cup diced carrots
½ cup diced yellow bell pepper
½ cup diced cucumber
½ cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
¼ cup diced red onion
1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Steps:

Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the garlic and 1/4 cup onion in the hot oil until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and bring to a boil; stir the quinoa into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover. Simmer until the quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain any remaining water from the quinoa with a mesh strainer and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate until cold.
Stir the tomato, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, corn, and 1/4 cup red onion into the chilled quinoa. Season with cilantro, mint, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad; gently stir until evenly mixed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.9 calories, Carbohydrate 22.9 g, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 592.1 mg, Sugar 2 g