Quinoa Salad with Maple Roasted Brussels, Apple + Walnuts

Quinoa is one of my favorite grains. Not only is it packed with nutrients, it’s gluten free, versatile and goes well with virtually anything - plus it’s easy to cook! I mixed it with some delicious maple roasted brussels sprouts, apple and chopped walnuts to create this light, tasty salad.

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Can be served hot or cold.

Ingredients:

2 cups dry quinoa (any color)
2 vegetable stock cubes
8 oz shaved brussels sprouts
1 large apple
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided into 1 tbsp and 4 tbsp)
4 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp chopped walnuts
pinch of salt and pepper

Prep the Brussels Sprouts

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

2. Chop the ends off the sprouts and slice in half - I made the mistake first time round of slicing these too thin and they got severely cremated in the oven! Most supermarkets now sell pre-sliced sprouts, or you can slice them using a food processor to save time - just don’t go too thin.

3. Place sliced sprouts in a medium bowl, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tsp maple syrup, mix thoroughly, set aside.

Cook the Quinoa

4.  Bring 4 cups of water to a boil on a stovetop*

5. Dissolve vegetable cubes fully in boiling water

6. Using a fine mesh sieve, thoroughly rinse the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear

7. Add quinoa, continue to boil for 1 min, turn heat down to a simmer and cover with a tight fitting lid. Maintain at a low simmer and cook for 15 mins - quinoa should be light and fluffy and all the water absorbed

8. Remove from heat and add to a large bowl

Prep Walnuts & Apple

9. Finely slice walnuts into ¼ inch pieces, set aside

10. Slice apple into ½ inch cubes, set aside

Make Dressing

11. Combine remaining olive oil , maple syrup and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl

Combine Ingredients

12. Combine quinoa, brussel sprouts, apple and walnuts and dressing in a large bowl – add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste and serve!

*If you want more servings, use a 2:1 ratio of liquid to dry quinoa

Enjoy!

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