With the end of summer approaching, you have perhaps exhausted all of your easy lunch ideas. You’re going to love this refreshing Sesame Quinoa Salad that keeps for days and offers the perfect mix of sweet and savory in its dressing. 

Sesame Quinoa Salad 

Ingredients

For the quinoa: 

• 1 cup quinoa, tri-color 
• 2 cups water 

 For the salad: 

• 1 cup cucumber, finely diced 
• 1 carrot, medium, peeled and finely shredded 
• 3 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (~1/4 small or 1/8 large cabbage) 
• 2 green onions, finely sliced 
• 8 oz cherry tomatoes, small ones quartered, large ones cut into 6 
• 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked per packet then cooled 
• 1 red capsicum/bell pepper, finely chopped 
• 1/2 cup coriander/cilantro leaves, finely chopped 

For the dressing: 

• 5 Tbsp. soy sauce, light or all-purpose 
• 2 Tbsp. mirin 
• 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar (sub: cider, sherry or champagne vinegar) 
• 2 Tbsp. sesame oil, toasted (Note 7) 
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. canola, vegetable or grapeseed oil 
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. mayonnaise 
• 2 1/2 tsp. sugar (white or brown) 
• 2 tsp. ginger, freshly grated 
• 1 garlic clove, crushed using garlic press or finely grated 

Garnishes: 

• 1/3 cup wasabi peas, crushed 
• 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted 

Directions

Quinoa: 

1. Toast for extra flavor: Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180° fan) Spread quinoa on a tray. Bake 15 minutes, stirring halfway, until it’s lightly browned and smells nutty.
2. Rinse: Transfer to fine mesh sieve or strainer. Rinse under running water for 10 seconds, shake off excess water well.
3. Cook: Scrape into a medium saucepan. Add water, place lid on. Bring to simmer on medium heat, then lower stove to low and simmer for 15 minutes (or until all water is absorbed, tilt pot to check).
4. Rest: Remove from stove (lid still on) and rest for 10 minutes.
5. Fluff & cool: Remove lid, fluff quinoa with a fork and allow to fully cool before using. (Spread on a tray if you want to speed things up).

 Salad: 

1. Dressing: Place ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Toss salad! Place quinoa in a large bowl. Add all salad ingredients. Pour over dressing, toss very well.
3. Garnish: Either transfer to a large serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle generously with crushed Wasabi Peas and sesame seeds. Devour!

Source: https://www.recipetineats.com/my-favourite-quinoa-salad/