Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad

This festive Asian Quinoa Slaw will make a beautiful presentation at any BBQ. It's a colorful healthy recipe that includes shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, crunchy pecans, raw sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and chopped green scallions and is mixed with a generous portion of flavorful tricolored quinoa and Asian dressing.

The healthy salad is perfect for any vegetarian, gluten free, or vegan guests , while the meat eaters will enjoy this salad as a complementary side dish to their grilled food.

Best of all, it's easy to make. Simply shred the cabbage and carrots yourself or if you are in a hurry you find bags of shredded cabbage and carrots in the supermarket.  Then you can just assemble this awesome salad in a jiffy!  The Asian dressing adds a delicious subtle sweet and tangy taste that makes it special.

Although quinoa is relatively new on the American scene, the Incas have been eating this nourishing seed for thousands of years. It is considered a superfood because of it's amazing health benefits.

1. Quinoa is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids.

2. Quinoa is higher in fiber than other grains.  Fiber helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels.  In addition fiber is necessary for proper elimination.

3.  Quinoa supplies  iron, lysine, B2, manganese and  magnesium - all needed for healthy metabolism and energy.

4. Quinoa is a nice alternative to rice and can be used in many of the same ways. Quinoa comes in different colors. There is red quinoa , cream colored quinoa and a tri colored quinoa that I buy in Trader Joe's . I like the tri colored the best.

5. Quinoa cooks quickly ( Takes about 10-15 minutes per cup of uncooked quinoa)

How to make the Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad

Ingredients: 

6 cups of shredded red cabbage ( or 1 10 ounce bag)
2 cups of shredded carrots
2 cups of cooked quinoa  ( cook one cup of quinoa)
2/3 cup of green onions ( scallions)
1/2 cup of pecans or nuts of your choice ( slivered almonds?)
1/2 cup of raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Dressing:

1/4 cup of olive oil 

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon agave or maple syrup

juice of one lemon
Optional: 2 tsp. Tamari Sauce ( I didn't use it) 

Directions: 

Assemble and mix the salad. Mix the dressing and toss into the salad

All ingredients except the cooked quinoa and dressing before mixing

Quinoa salad when mixed and dressed!

My notes:  

My daughter in law, Wendy, cooks her quinoa in vegetable broth instead of water. It comes out great! 
Substitute: This Asian Quinoa Salad is a basic recipe that is open to substitution. Change the flavor entirely by using  Italian vinaigrette instead of the Asian dressing

Try One Of My Other Favorite Summer Salads:
Jersey Corn and Tomato Salad

I made this salad using raw uncooked corn that I cut right off the cob- very sweet and crunchy- no need to boil any water
Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

                                     
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