Description
Toasted Pine Nut and Leek Quinoa Salad Recipe. Easy to make, gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3/4 cup – 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2/3 cup thinly diced/chopped leeks (root portion)
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped shallot or onion
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 teaspoons honey (use agave nectar for vegan options)
- cracked pepper (to taste)
- 2–3 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 lemon (1-2 Tablespoons juice)
Instructions
- First rinse your quinoa. Add 1 cup quinoa, 1/4 tsp salt, and you need about 2 cups liquid. Bring liquid to a boil with quinoa, then reduce heat to medium low and cover for 20 minutes or until fluffy. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400F. In a small bowl, combine your chopped leeks (the roots), onion, pine nuts, honey, salt, pepper, and 1- 2 tbsp olive oil. Toss and then lay it flat on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread evenly across paper.
- Roast/toast for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove, toss the pine nuts and then return to oven for another 4 -5 minutes or a total of 10 -12 minutes.
- Remove from oven and combine (in a large bowl) cooked quinoa with honey toasted mixture.
- Mix in your minced garlic, cracked pepper, 1/2 tbsp more olive oil, and 1- 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice.
- Season with flaked sea salt or coarse sea salt and serve.
- Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 4 -5 days.
Notes
- For vegan option, omit honey.
- To boost protein or serve as a main meal, pair quinoa salad with chicken breast, fish, or plant based protein of choice.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: side
- Method: roast/bake
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 177
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Sodium: 242.1 mg
- Fat: 7.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.2 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
