Summer Quinoa Salad

I have made up quite a few quinoa salads this spring. This one was one of my favorites and really easy to make. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• A few cucumber slices, cut into quarters
• Half of an orange (or red) pepper-diced
• 10 grape tomatoes -sliced in half length wise 
• 2 green onions-diced
• Half a can of white beans
• Half a can of palm hearts-sliced length wise
• 10+ fresh mint leaves-cut into strips
• Feta cheese 
• Juice of a medium sized lemon
• Avocado oil
• White balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper 

Directions:

1. Cook 1 1/2 cups quinoa according to package. Let cool. 
2. Chop all veggies and place in a large bowl. 
3. Once quinoa is cool add to the bowl. 
4. Add mint, beans and hearts of palm and crumble some feta cheese on top.
5. Comine lemon juice, a few splashes of vinegar and avocado oil. Toss salad with dressing, add salt & pepper to taste. 

I think salads like this are best if they can sit for an hour or so. If you don't have avocado oil, olive oil would work just fine. I also think you can substitute any type of bean. Add more or less veggies as you see fit.   

Enjoy!

Salad makes 7-10 side dish servings.