Quinoa Salad with Pistachios & Dates

Quinoa Salad with Pistachios and Dates -- Salad with all my favorite ingredients. It's slightly sweet, slightly tangy and very delicious.

Author: Pavani

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 50

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Servings: serving

1 cup Quinoa Uncooked
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1¾ cups Water
1 thin half Onion Small , sliced into moons
3 cups Spinach Baby leaves (I used a mix of baby greens with kale, swiss chard and spinach), torn into bite size pieces
½ cup Flat leaf parsley , chopped
1 cup Chickpeas Cooked , drained and rinsed if using canned
1 cup Dates Pitted , chopped
⅓ cup Pistachios , toasted and coarsely chopped
4 ~ 6 tbsps Sumac powder
To taste Salt

Cook Quinoa: Thoroughly rinse and drain quinoa and place it in a medium saucepan and toast it over medium heat for 3~4 minutes until grains are dry and lightly toasted. Add cumin and fennel seeds and toast for another minute.
Add water and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, cover and cook for 20~22 minutes or until all of the water is evaporated and quinoa is tender. Fluff it with a fork and cool for 5 minutes.
Prepare Dressing: While quinoa is cooking, whisk all of the dressing ingredients in a 2cup liquid measuring cup and keep ready.
Prepare the Salad: Combine the onions, spinach (or mixed greens), parsley, chickpeas, dates and pistachios in a mixing bowl. Pour the prepared dressing and toss to coat completely and let stand while quinoa is cooking.
To Assemble: After the quinoa has cooled slightly, transfer it to the mixing bowl and toss it with the dressing and salad. Divide it among serving plates. Sprinkle with the sumac and serve warm or at room temperature.

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