Crunchy Asian Cashew Quinoa Salad

GThis is just so good. We do it as a main dish, but you could easily make it a side. It is so good chilled as leftovers for lunch the next day. The quinoa picks up the flavor from the sauce so well, and the crunchy bites from the cashews and cabbage give it a great texture. If you are wanting a good way to try quinoa this is a great example of how versatile it can be. I stumbled upon it when I was searching for new ways to eat quinoa on Pinterest., and just adapted it slightly. We certainly don't try to eat vegetarian but often do during the week because of the ease, and in this dish, you don't miss meat.

 

Crunchy Asian Cashew Quinoa Salad

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
• ½ red onion, very finely diced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• ½ cup cashew halves (broken up into pieces)  
• 8 oz frozen shelled edamame, cooked

 

For the dressing:

• ¼ cup all natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

 

1. Cook quinoa by bringing quinoa and 1 3/4 cup water to boil. Cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook until all the water is gone, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork, remove from heat.
2. Use a microwave safe bowl to make the dressing. First combine peanut butter and honey; heat in microwave for 20 seconds to make it easier to stir. Add in ginger, soy sauce, both vinegars, lime juice, and both sesame and olive oil. Stir until mixture is smooth and creamy. You can adjust to your tastes here.
3. In a big bowl, toss the quinoa with about half the dressing.
4. Then add in the pepper, both onions, edamame, cabbage, carrots, and cilantro into the quinoa.
5. Add in more dressing and toss well.
6. Top with cashews before serving.

***Makes 4 servings
***This is 2 on Bryce's dish scale. Pot for quinoa, big bowl, small bowl, cutting board.