Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad
User Reviews
5
Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Description
The salad is built on fluffy quinoa cooked with water, then mixed with chickpeas, thawed green peas, and a blend of seasonings including ginger, curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Fresh diced red bell pepper, shredded carrot, dried cherries or cranberries, red onion, cilantro, and parsley add layers of color, freshness, and varied texture. The cherry or cranberry pieces provide a tart sweetness that contrasts with the spices.
Toasted cashews are coated with maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and sea salt while warm in a skillet, adding sweet, nutty crunch with a slight heat. These cashews finish the salad with a rich contrast to the softer quinoa and legumes.
This salad can be served as a light meal or side dish. Its combination of flavors and textures makes it suitable for packed lunches or casual gatherings. The use of fresh ginger and curry powder brings defined warmth, balanced by the acidity of herbs and sweetness of fruit and cashews.
Tips from the original source address possible customizations and ways to adapt the salad to taste, ensuring flexibility with seasonings and mix-ins.
Ingredients
- For the quinoa:
- 3/4 cup quinoa
- 1 2/3 cup water
- 1 chickpeas 15 ounce can, rinsed and drained
- ¾ cup green peas frozen, thawed
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil or substitute olive oil
- ½ tablespoon ginger freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon curry powder plus more if you want a really big curry punch
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric ground
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- For the mix-ins:
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup carrot shredded, from 1 large carrot
- 1/2 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/3 cup cilantro finely diced
- 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley finely diced
- For the maple cayenne toasted cashews:
- 3/4 cup cashew nuts raw
- ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt sea salt
Instructions
- Add in quinoa and water to a medium pot and bring mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for exactly 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from heat and fluff quinoa with a fork, then replace lid and allow quinoa to steam for 5-10 more minutes. While quinoa is cooking you can chop all your veggies.
- Once quinoa is done cooking, stir in chickpeas, peas, sesame oil, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Next stir in red bell pepper, shredded carrots, dried cherries, red onion, cilantro and parsley.
- Finally make your maple cayenne toasted cashews: place cashews in a skillet over medium heat. Toast cashews for 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn slightly golden brown and fragrant, then turn off heat and immediately add in maple syrup, cayenne pepper and sea salt. Stir for 30 more seconds to coat cashews, then transfer to a plate or piece of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Cashews may stick together so try to spread them in an even layer when they are cooling.
- Top quinoa with cashews and serve! Serves 4 for a main meal or 6 as a side. I suggest waiting to add cashews until you are ready to serve so they stay nice and crunchy.
Notes
- Customize the curry powder amount to increase or decrease curry flavor intensity.
- Toast cashews carefully until golden for best flavor then coat quickly with maple syrup and spices.
- Use dried cherries or cranberries for a sweet-tart contrast; soak briefly to soften if preferred.
- Fresh herbs add brightness; chop finely for even distribution.
- Serve the salad slightly warm or chilled according to preference.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 492 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving (based on 4) | |
| Calories | 492cal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 68.5g | 23% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 17.8g | 27% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Fiber | 12.2g | 49% |
| Sugar | 15.5g | 31% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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