Curried Quinoa Chickpea Salad

By Julia Howard, MPH, RHN

Curried Quinoa Chickpea Salad

I came across this salad several years ago as I was first learning how to use quinoa and I’ve tweaked it a bit since. The beauty of this salad is that the flavours of the spices in the dressing continue to deepen and blend the longer it stays in the fridge. I find it tastes best after a day or so.

If you’re like me, you find quinoa a bit flavourless so it’s not typically my first choice of grain, although it is higher in protein than most grains. This salad is a great way to use up that big bag of quinoa that’s been hanging out in your cupboard.

I like to make it as a light lunch or as a side dish at a barbecue. Note: This recipe will fill a very large bowl!

I will sometimes use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavour. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you could try fresh parsley instead for some extra green.

Curried Quinoa & Chickpea Salad

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups quinoa (dry)
  • 4 cups veggie broth (e.g., Pacific Foods organic vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
  • 1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped.

Dressing Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced or 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
  • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
  • Sea salt to taste

Directions

  • Cook 2 cups of quinoa in 4 cups of broth.
  • While quinoa is cooking, prepare other ingredients and combine in a large bowl.
  • When quinoa is finished cooking and has cooled, add together ingredients in a large bowl and combine well.
  • Make dressing in a separate container, mix well, and then add to the salad.
  • Eat at room temperature immediately or cover and keep in the fridge for a few days.

Enjoy!

~Julia

If you’re confused about nutrition or have some nutrition goals you need help with, we offer online nutrition coaching!

I came to JKC through recommendations from my peers from lululemon. As a current ambassador, I’ve been introduced to legacy ambassadors, like Jon, and I knew a bunch of other people from the store were working out here so I wanted to give it a go. I often dread lower body workouts so I started coming here to do legs. I’ve had such great progress that I now come twice a week— and, I no longer hate leg day!

I’ve never experienced this sort of hybrid between group workouts and personalized service. Many group strength training services offer a sort of one-size-fits-all workout for the general population, which has never been of interest to me, because I want my workout tailored to my needs! I LOVE that you can be in a group setting while doing your own personal program; I love the camaraderie and community at JKC, and, I’ve seen incredible results thus far! Jon is always so attuned to what I need.

JKC was recommended to me by my good friend Casidhe Dyke. Cas had been training with JKC for a while, and both he and his father had seen great results from the personal training that Jon and Thomas were giving them. I was and still am primarily a triathlete and I’ve always struggled with injuries. I was talking to Cas about incorporating more strength training in my program to try and prevent injuries going forward and Cas suggested that I give JKC a try. I reached out to Jon not long after, and the rest is history! After working with Jon and Thomas for a few months, I was getting stronger, faster, and most importantly, I was staying injury-free. I ended up being able to train the whole season without significant injury and posted a personal best at Ironman Copenhagen in 2018. A big part of that was due to the strength training and coaching I received at JKC.

I chose JKC because I row/coach teams in the St. John’s Regatta and was looking to add strength training to our program. My wife is also running friends with Julia, so I got to meet Jon a few times and heard lots of good things. I like JKC over other gyms because of the level coaching I receive and the gym atmosphere. The energy in the gym helps me through the tough workouts.

JKC was recommended by a previous trainer who followed Jon online. He thought Jon’s approach to training was excellent. JKC employs well educated trainers who are very particular about technique and form. I have never injured myself because the trainers know what they are doing. They can always answer any questions I ask about my training. As well the trainers are friendly contributing to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the gym.

I heard somewhere that achieving your health goals is determined largely by what you do in the kitchen. I am grateful to have found Julia who brought direction and accountability to this most important piece for me. Having Julia in my corner has brought me confidence and certainty that I am on my way to achieving my goals. I highly recommend her if you are serious about making a change and feeling better about your health.

As Seen On: