Quinoa Salad

I am a full time Registered Nurse, a single Mother to my two daughters and a part time student in University   Today I was spending the day writing a paper and forgot to take out dinner, and I really do not have much in the house tonight.  So, what to do?  Create!

Quinoa Salad

-2 cups or water or broth
-2 cups dried quinoa
-salt

-1 large carrot chopped
-1 rib of celery chopped
-1 apple in chunks
-cucumber sliced
-1/2 an onion
-1/2 cup pan fried almonds
-1/4 cup of raw sesame seeds pan fried
-1/4 cup dried cranberries
-1 tablespoon tamari soya saue
-pepper
-the juice of 1 lemon
-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/2 cup olive oil

Chop the ingredients, pan fry the almonds and sesame seeds, I have both the regular and black sesame seeds.  Place all the ingredients in a bowl waiting for the qunioa and almonds to cook.  Boil the 2 cups of water, then add the quinoa and boil on low for about 15 minutes, remove from heat and then poor into the bowl with all the ingredients, mix and add the almonds and sesame seeds.  Then taste, you may want to add more oil or balsamic vinegar.  Add some fresh pepper.

kale and sprout salad with cranberries an roasted almonds

Yesterday at the farmers market at the brickworks I purchased some organic kale and organic ancient grains.  Knowing that I would be entertaining some friends who are vegetarian I wanted to make sure that I had some high protein items to keep them full.

Organic Kale salad with Roasted Almonds, ancient grain sprouts and dried cranberries

-2 cups of cleaned and chopped kale
-1/2 cup almonds toasted
-3/4 cups ancient grains sprouts
-1/4 cup dried cranberries

in a frying pan on medium low heat toast blanched slice almonds until browned.  Place hot almonds on top of the kale chopped and stir in.  Let cool.  Add the sprouts and cranberries.

Tangy Apple cider mustard dressing

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup
pinch of salt and pepper