Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups vegetarian broth (or water)
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup finely diced flat leaf parsley
- ½ cup sliced toasted almonds
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Spices: Add coconut oil to a large pot and place over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and freshly ground black pepper and cook for 30 seconds more to release the aromas.
- Cook Quinoa: Add the vegetarian broth (or water) and quinoa to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for exactly 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff and Combine Ingredients: Remove the pot from heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains. Stir in the rinsed chickpeas, dried cranberries, and finely diced parsley until everything is well-combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the salad with sliced toasted almonds and additional parsley. Serve warm or chill for later. This salad stores well for meal prep — pack in mason jars or containers for convenient lunches.
Notes
- To toast almonds, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Vegetarian broth can be substituted with water, but broth adds more flavor.
- This recipe is great served cold or at room temperature and works well for meal prep.
- Adjust spices to your taste preference, especially salt and pepper.
- For added protein, consider topping with feta cheese or a drizzle of tahini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
