Spinach Quinoa Salad by V.D./L.S.

By Carynz

OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 sweet potato,peeled and diced
• 1 medium beet,peeled and diced
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 8 oz baby spinach,roughly chopped
• 1/2 red onion,finely diced or thinly sliced
• 1/4 lb green beans,lightly steamed,roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes,halved
• 3 Tbs sunflower seeds
• DRESSING
• 1 Tbs Dijon or yellow mustard
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh basil,loosely packed
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp kosher salt

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400.
In a medium pot,bring water to a boil. Add quinoa lower heat,simmer for 15 min.or until the germ separates from the seed. Strain if necessary.
Place sweet potato and beet on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil. Bake until soft,about 30 min. Let cool.
In a large bowl,combine quinoa,sweet potato,beet,spinach,red onion,green beans,and tomatoes.
Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl,combine mustard,brown sugar,honey,olive oik,basil,garlic and salt, Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Toss with salad. Top with sunflower seeds and serve.