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The Best Italian Chopped Quinoa Salad

The Best Italian Chopped Quinoa Salad

The Best Italian Chopped Salad

I haven't always loved salads, but when I started making them like this everything changed. Why? Because they're pretty darn good. Loaded with veg, flavorful, and colorful, it's a feast for the gut, eyes, and tastebuds. The triple whammy. The trifecta.
This is one of my favorites. It'll go in a book at some point, but I'm not sure which one yet. Stay tuned for that. Quinoa adds a really nice texture, balancing the veg. I hope you give this one a try.
Enjoy!

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kamalata olives chopped
  • 1/2 cup grilled artichoke hearts chopped
  • 1/2 cup baby cucumbers chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers. chopped
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup baby tomatoes chopped
  • 1/2 cup salami chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls cut in half
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1-2 cups lettuce of choice optional
  • 1 cup quinoa cooked and cooled
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Dash salt to taste

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon/stone ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • Salt/Pepper to taste

Notes

Chop all the ingredients in equal sizes. Mix together in a large bowl with quinoa. 
Optional: Add chopped lettuce if you're going to eat right away. I like to have this in the fridge all week long and serve it on a bed of lettuce.
For Dressing: Blend all ingredients until well blended.
Pour dressing over salad and mix well.