Warm Quinoa Salad

Usually after a nice run, we eat pizza or something extremely unhealthy, which totally defeats the purpose of running in the first place.  Last week, we went for a nice run, then ate this amazing Quinoa salad afterwards and felt healthy all night! (Well at least until 9:00 when we started craving chocolate)  It's super filling and actually a great thing to bring for lunch to keep you going all day.

Warm Quinoa Salad

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa

1 tsp coconut oil

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tbs grapeseed oil

20 fresh brussels sprouts, sliced (I slice them thinly so the leave separate)

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup almonds, toasted

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted

*1/2 cup cubed organic tofu, optional

Dressing:

1 tbs grapeseed oil

1 tbs lemon juice (I just used the bottled stuff because I didn't have a lemon, but next time I'll use a fresh lemon and zest!)

2 tbs pure maple syrup

* The tofu is totally optional, but I used it to make it feel more like a meal rather than a side dish.  I tried a new trick for my tofu this time. I pressed all the water out with dish towels for about 20 minutes, then baked it at 350 for about 20 minutes, then I put it in the fridge overnight with some paper towels to soak up any extra liquid.  Then take it out of the fridge and just cube up and add it.  It cuts a lot of time out of the cooking process when you prepare it ahead of time, and the texture is extra "meaty."

Directions:

Toast the quinoa with coconut oil over medium heat about 3 minutes until quinoa begins to brown and pop.  Slowly add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.  Turn down to a simmer and cover.  Simmer for about 15-20 minutes. 

In a large saute pan, heat the grapeseed oil over medium heat and add brussles sprouts and tofu.  Saute until sprouts begin to brown, about 15-20 minutes.  Add the garlic and saute about 2 more minutes. Add the cranberries, almonds, and pumpkin seeds.  Make sure to buy your nuts/seeds raw and toast them yourself over medium heat until golden brown.  It makes a world of difference, rather than buying already toasted nuts/seeds.  It only takes about 2 minutes to toast them yourself.

Add cooked quinoa and toss until mixed.  Mix the dressing, pour over top and toss to mix.  Add salt and pepper as desired.  Enjoy!