Sweet Quinoa Surprise

quinoa salad, salad, grain

Kids Recipe Challenge winning recipe: 3rd Place!
School day lunches: Grades 4 to 6

Quinoa is appearing more often on family tables and it’s an easy way to include extra protein in children’s diets. By adding colourful vegetables and chickpeas, this lunch can be made by kids and enjoyed by all!

Paloma from Toronto, thinks kids will like this recipe because it is healthy and it gets kids to be more adventurous with food.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Makes: 8 cups (2 L). Enough for eight 1 cup (250 mL) servings

Tips

Dish can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.

Ingredients
Quinoa, rinsed	1 cup (250 mL)
No salt added chicken broth	2 cups (500 mL)
Can chickpeas, drained and rinsed	19 oz (540 mL)
Yellow or red bell pepper, diced	1
English cucumber, diced	1/2
Crumbled light feta cheese	1/2 cup (125 mL)
Dried cranberries	1/4 cup (60 mL)
Balsamic or red wine vinegar	2 Tbsp (30 mL)
Extra virgin olive or canola oil	4 tsp (20 mL)

Directions

In saucepan, bring quinoa and broth to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer; cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until broth is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Let stand covered for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine chickpeas, pepper, cucumber, feta and cranberries.
Fluff quinoa with fork and add to bowl. Drizzle with vinegar and oil and toss well to combine.