A simple 15 minute Moroccan carrot salad with quinoa and chickpeas for busy days. Healthy, vegan, and ideal for packed lunches or a quick dinner. Dates, lemon, and parsley round out this filling salad.
Start by cooking the quinoa. Go by your package instructions on whether it needs to be rinsed or not. Add the quinoa to a pot with the water and salt, cover, and heat on high, covered, until boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 12-15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed.
180 grams dry quinoa, 500 ml water, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the other salad ingredients and place them into a large mixing bowl.
Make the vinaigrette by adding the olive oil, lemon juice, ginger, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, pepper, and cayenne pepper to a jar or container. Shake or whisk until fully combined.
60 ml olive oil, Juice of a lemon, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Once the quinoa is cooled, remove the pot from the heat and uncover to let the quinoa cool for a few minutes.
Add the quinoa to the bowl with the other salad ingredients, then top with the vinaigrette and mix well to combine. Serve immediately. Leftovers will keep well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Notes
* If you're very sensitive to raw garlic, try subbing roasted garlic in its place or leave it out.