Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad

Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious recipe for a salad? Look no further than Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad. This salad is one of the most popular dishes from Whole Foods and is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. It is a great meal to make ahead and have for the week or to serve on a special occasion. Loaded with fiber, proteins, and a variety of flavors, this salad is sure to please even the most discerning palate.

The base of this salad is quinoa, a high-protein superfood that is packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and is an excellent source of dietary fiber. It is also an excellent source of B-vitamins, magnesium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus. For an added boost of nutrition, this salad also contains a variety of other healthful ingredients such as almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and a variety of fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

This salad is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. The following ingredients are needed to make the Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad:

• 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup of almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup of fresh bell peppers, diced
• 1/2 cup of fresh cucumbers, diced
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions

To make the Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad, begin by cooking the quinoa according to package instructions. Once cooked, allow to cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, olive oil, garlic, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, bell peppers, cucumbers, and parsley. Toss to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss to combine. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips & Tricks

This Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad is incredibly versatile and can be customized according to your taste. For a vegan version, simply omit the pumpkin seeds. You can also swap out any of the vegetables for your favorites or add in other proteins such as chickpeas or edamame. For a little added sweetness, try adding a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the dressing.

Nutrition Information

This Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad is a great source of protein and fiber, as well as providing many essential vitamins and minerals. One serving of this salad contains approximately:

• 202 calories
• 6 grams of fat
• 8 grams of fiber
• 9 grams of protein
• 11% of the Daily Value (DV) for Vitamin A
• 15% of the DV for Vitamin C
• 14% of the DV for Iron
• 13% of the DV for Calcium

This Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad is a great way to get your daily dose of nutrition. Enjoy!