Before cooking, quinoa must be rinsed to remove the toxic (but naturally occurring) bitter coating, called saponin. Saponin, when removed from quinoa, produces a soapy solution in water. Quinoa is rinsed before it is packaged and sold, but it is best to rinse again at home before use. Place quinoa in a grain strainer and rinse thoroughly with water.

To cook quinoa, place 1 cup rinsed quinoa in 2 cups of water and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Let it cool down to room temperature before making the salad. You can see more on cooking quinoa here.

SERVES: 6     PREP TIME: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

For Salad

• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• ½ cup red cabbage, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• ½ bell pepper (red, yellow, orange or green whatever you have on hand), chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced into rounds
• 2 scallions, sliced into rounds
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves
• ½ cup chopped parsley or cilantro

For Dressing:

• ¼ cup organic extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar and/or lemon juice
• ½ tsp. sea salt
• A pinch of black pepper or cayenne (optional)
• 1 tsp. Maple syrup (optional)

Direction

1. Mix all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a smaller bowl.
3. Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Adjust the seasoning.
4. Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
5. Experiment with different combination of vegetables and dressings of your choice.

SERVES: 4     PREP TIME: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

For Salad

• 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 cup carrots, grated
• 1/4 cup beets, grated
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and sliced
• 1/4 cup red radish, sliced
• 1/4 cup fennel, sliced
• 1 cup sprouts (mung or alfalfa)

For Yummy Ranch Dressing with a Twist

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (add a little extra water if using greek yogurt). Click here for Homemade yogurt recipe(you can leave out yogurt for the vegan version)
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1/4 avocado
• 1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro (or flat parsley) – roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. Mix all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Blend ingredients of dressing and store in a small jam jar. Will stay fresh in fridge 4-5 days.
3. You can use any dressing of your choice with this fresh and beautiful rainbow salad.

A quick dish for the beginning of spring! Winter is almost gone and now is the time to reduce fats and proteins, and start going for more raw vegetables and salads.

SERVES: 4     PREP TIME: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 head cabbage, finely shredded
• 1/2 pomegranate, peeled and seeds separated
• 1 navel orange, peeled and sectioned
• 2 carrots, grated
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Mix cabbage, pomegranate, orange, carrot and cilantro in a large bowl.
2. Add lime juice, salt and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Refrigerate for an hour.
4. This dish can be made a day ahead of time.

Variations: This is a versatile recipe. You can use any combination of vegetables like purple cabbage, cucumbers, onion, beets and jicama. If you like to make the dressing a little spicier try using olive oil and minced garlic or ginger along with some fresh lime juice.

PREP TIME: 20 minutes    MAKES 15 – 25 truffles

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cacao powder
• 1 cup cashews or macadamia nuts
• ½ cup maple syrup
• Water (to mix)

Roll-in ingredients: shredded coconut, chopped nuts, chocolate nibs, raw sugar, cacao powder, ginger, or something else you love

Direction

1. Mix cashews in a food processor until a powder, adding enough water to create a thick paste.
2. Add maple syrup to cashews and pulse to process.
3. Add cacao powder. Pulse to process.
4. Refrigerate for four hours or overnight for best results.
5. Form teaspoon or tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Coat balls in your chosen roll-in ingredients!