Delicious Quinoa Protein Packed Salad

Happy Thanksgiving! It's time to get back on a healthy cooking and eating track!! I don't know about you, but I definitely over indulged on the weekend.
I know I'm completely out of order and not providing you with a quilting/stitchery related post but cooking is creative too right?  Also this salad is just too delicious AND HEALTHY not to share! 

I was actually trying to come up with a recipe that used my fresh parsley from the garden, my carrots and kale while still having a lunch salad that incorporates some protein and this is it! So good, it's worth making again and again.  The salad dressing spices are subtle and surprising,  Also, mmmmm raisins seemed weird at first but they  so make this salad wonderful.

This is a great lunch box complete meal salad as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (or ½ cup uncooked)
• 1 cup matchstick carrots (take the time to matchstick them, adds a great texture and look to the salad)
• 4 green onions, chopped fine
• 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ⅓ cup golden raisins
• 1 cup kale finely chopped
• 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped
  

Maple/ Lemon Dressing:

• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp maple syrup 
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon chili powder

Rinse your quinoa and strain (removes any bitter taste). Place in a saucepan with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil, simmer until it absorbs all liquid, remove from heat and fluff with a fork,  Let quinoa cool completely. Mix salad dressing and chill while you prepare all other ingredients.  Toss salad dressing and all other ingredients in a large bowl, chill and serve chilled.  

This is going to be one of my new family favourites!  I hope you like it too!

Happy Tuesday!😊