PROTEIN PACKED QUINOA SALAD

It's that time of week, and I'm so excited to share with you this protein packed, delicious quinoa salad! And the best part? It only took me about 15 minutes to make. This is one of my go-to recipes when I'm short on time and want something that keeps me full but doesn't make me feel heavy or sluggish. This yummy salad has four protein sources (quinoa, chickpeas, edamame, and sliced almonds), two veggies (red and orange pepper), and one fruit (dried cranberries). Keep scrolling for all of the details!

INGREDIENTS:
-1 cup of Trader Joe's tri-colored, organic quinoa
-2 cups water
-1 red pepper
-1 orange pepper
-1 bag (12oz) of Trader Joe's frozen, shelled edamame
-1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-1/2 bag (or about 4oz) of Trader Joe's sliced almonds
-1/2 bag of Trader Joe's dried cranberries
-2 tbs of olive oil
-2 tbs of red wine vinegar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook quinoa (for directions on how to make quinoa, click here)
2. Dice the red and orange pepper
3. Combine the cooked quinoa, diced pepper, and all other ingredients in a large bowl and serve cold (keep it in the fridge for a few hours before eating so that the edamame is thawed).

Feel free to add or substitute your favorite veggies, fruits, or protein sources to this recipe. Sliced apples and pumpkin seeds would be a great option for fall!

Enjoy!

LD