Lemon Infused Quinoa with Chickpeas

Helloooo Friends!  How is your week treating you so far?  We're just enjoying the last of the nicer weather...though last night it dropped to 16 degrees!  Eek!  With that in mind...I've definitely moved to warmer meals at the end of the day.

A couple weeks ago I saw a delicious recipe over at Nicole's Guide to Style and decided I had to try it!  It involves quinoa and chickepeas...two of my faves!


I've recently become a fan of quinoa...which is gluten-free {easy to digest} and a good source of fiber and iron.  I've also started adding chickpeas to my salad for the extra protein.  If you haven't caught on yet, this is a super yummy and good-for-you meal.  Gotta love that.

Recipe from Garden of Eating

* 1 cup quinoa
* 2 cups water
* 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
* 1 can garbanzo beans, or dried equivalent
* 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
* 1/2 red onion, chopped

Tahini Dressing:
* 1 garlic clove, smashed and chopped
* 1/4 cup tahini
* Zest of one lemon
* 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons hot water
* 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-meshed strainer.

2. In a medium saucepan heat the quinoa and water until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa fluffs up, about 15 minutes. Quinoa is done when you can see the curlique in each grain, and it is tender with a bit of pop to each bite. Drain any extra water and set aside.

3. While the quinoa is cooking make the dressing. Whisk together the garlic, tahini, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil. Add the hot water to thin a bit and then the salt.

4. Toss the cooked quinoa, beans, cilantro, red onion, and half of the dressing. Add more dressing and season with more salt to taste. Serve garnished with a bit of cilantro. 

  
It's a hearty side dish or a light lunch to share.  I will definitely be making this time and time again!  

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

31 comments :

  1. look so delish! I haven't ventured into the land of quinoa yet, but now I must!

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  2. I LOVE quinoa and so do the kids so thanks for the new way to prepare it. Anytime I spy cilantro I am all over it!

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  3. Oh yum, can't go wrong with quinoa!

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  4. That looks so yummy! I would love that for lunch.

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  5. This looks like a great lunch to me! I love quinoa, we have it at least 3x a week!

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  6. Oh, my mother-in-law would be *so* proud of me if I cooked up some quinoa all by myself! She is a super healthy eater and I've learned all sorts of grains that I never knew existed from her...maybe even too many...(c: LOVE the new dresser, btw!

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  7. This looks amazingly delicious, but also packed with super good for you foods! I'll have to try this. I've been looking for new healthy recipes to introduce to our table!

    Heather from lifeofapasseri.com

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  8. I love quiona! I might just make that this week for lunch. You always find great recipes!

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  9. Oh my goodness this looks and sounds fantastic!!

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  10. That looks good! I will definitely give a try to quinoa!

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  11. This looks delicious & so easy! I love quinoa!

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  12. this looks delicious and right up my alley! i love all the ingredients!

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  13. Yum, Natasha! Looks so tasty - and so fresh & healthy :) I definitely have a thing for quinoa & chickpeas! xoxoxo brynn

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  14. That looks so delicious, I'd love to try this recipe!

    Laura :)

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  15. this looks delicious! definitely trying the recipe.
    thanks for sharing :)

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  16. Wow, this looks fantastic and so so healthy! Love me some quinoa!

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  17. Honestly, I don't ever make quinoa, but I've seen a lot of yummy looking recipes lately, so I apparently need to start making it! I love chickpeas, so maybe I'll start with this recipe. :)

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  18. Sounds delicious! It's always fun popping by your blog, Natasha, and getting a new fun recipe! I love it when you share your recipes. I have tried many of them!

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  19. another great recipe for me to try! thanks! ;)

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  20. That looks so good! And I think it's really fun to say the word "quinoa"!

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  21. I cannot wait to try this!! It has so many of my favorite things!

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  22. 16 degrees!! yikes that's super cold!! I've always wanted to make this type of dish so thank you for the recipe! xo

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  23. This will go perfectly with the salmon we are making for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for the great side dish idea! :)

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  24. This look delicious - I love vegetarian dishes and never knew that quinoa was gluten free!

    I'll have to give this a try soon!

    xoxo
    Jenna

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  25. mmm sounds like a great way to try quinoa! xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  26. This looks amazing! We eat a lot of quinoa at our house! Thanks for the receipe!

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  27. Oh my gosh - this looks really good Natasha! I love chickpeas - I always feel so healthy when I eat them!

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