THAI QUINOA SALAD WITH GINGER PEANUT DRESSING

~ Ambitious Kitchen

SALAD

3/4 c. uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 c. water

1-2 c. shredded red cabbage

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 c. shredded carrots

1/2 c. cilantro

1 c. edamame or chickpeas (optional)

1/4 c. sliced green onions

1/2 c. cashew halves or peanuts

lime wedges

DRESSING

1/4 c. all natural peanut butter

1 T. honey

2 t. freshly grated ginger

3 T. soy sauce

1 T. red wine vinegar

1 t. sesame oil

1 t. olive oil

In a medium-size saucepan, combine quinoa and water, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover, simmering until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and stir. Let cool for ten minutes.

While the quinoa is cooling, make dressing. Heat peanut butter and honey on stove top or in microwave until smooth and easy to stir. Remove from heat, if on stove, and add ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and olive oil. Stir until mixture is smooth and creamy. 

If you'd like the quinoa to absorb more of the dressing, mix together now.  If you'd prefer to let people dress their own portions, then set the dressing aside.

Add cabbage, pepper, onion, carrots, cilantro, and edamame or chickpeas to quinoa and stir until well blended. Garnish with green onions and cashews, serve with lime wedges.  

Makes about eight cups if you use two cups of cabbage.

Notes: I mix all the ingredients together at the same time instead of saving some as garnish, include chickpeas that we previously cooked and froze, and use bottled lime juice instead of lime wedges. I think this salad is great as is, but I also love it served on a bed of spinach. You may want to cut back on the red onion, as many people find half an onion to be too much. We only use 1/4 of an onion.