Quinoa, Broccoli, Chickpea Salad with Tahini Maple Dressing

Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the bowl: 

• 1 cup dry quinoa (makes 2.5-3 cups cooked)
• 3 cups broccoli, chopped 
• 1 (15 oz) canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained 
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup parsley or cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the dressing: 

• 6 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2-4 tbsp water, to thin as needed
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse and cook 1 cup dry quinoa in 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. 
2. Lightly steam broccoli for 2-3 minutes. Or keep raw for crunch. 
3. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, broccoli, chickpeas, carrots, and herbs. 
4. In a small bowl, whisk tahini, maple syrup, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Add water gradually until creamy and of the desired consistency.  
5. Toss the dressing into the large bowl and mix well. 
6. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips:

You can swap out different vegetables to make it more versatile. You can also boost the protein by adding hemp seeds, tofu, grilled chicken, fish, or hard-boiled eggs.

Why We Love This Recipe:

1. Plant-based Proteins:

Quinoa and chickpeas provide a complete source of protein, which helps support muscle repair, stable energy, and satiety. Especially important for individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets.

2. Fiber:

The chickpeas, quinoa, carrots, and broccoli are great sources of dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion, heart health, and helps to keep you full longer.

2. Heart Health:

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and is rich in unsaturated fats, which help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. It also contains the antioxidants, sesamin and sesamol, which can help reduce inflammation. Tahini also has the minerals magnesium and potassium that support a healthy blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.