1cupdry quinoarinsed thoroughly; I use white quinoa
2 and ½cupsvegetable broth
15ounce canchickpeasdrained and rinsed
1cupfeta crumbles
½cupdried cranberriessee note #3
1lemonsliced into wedges
Vinaigrette
3tablespoonsred wine vinegar
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
2teaspoonshoneymaple syrup also works
pinch ofsalt
Instructions
Roasted Butternut Squash
Preheat the oven to 425F. Peel the butternut squash and slice in half. Remove seeds and stringy bits. Dice into ½ inch cubes.
Add the diced squash to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use clean hands to combine (this can also be done in a bowl).
Roast at 425F for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through. The squash is ready when tender and golden throughout.
Quinoa Salad
Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Drizzle with a thin layer of olive oil. Once hot, add the roughly chopped leeks.
Saute until vivid green, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and chopped thyme. Saute until aromatic and golden, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the rinsed quinoa. Toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the vegetable broth and chickpeas. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Cover with a lid and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients (red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt) in a small bowl.
When the quinoa is cooked through, transfer it to a large bowl. Stir in the feta, cranberries, and roasted butternut squash. Add the vinaigrette and toss to combine.
Serve each portion with a lemon wedge. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Butternut squash: Aim for about 12 ounces of butternut squash. An equal amount of frozen squash can be cooked using the same method in half the time.
Leeks: Only use the white part of the leeks. Two leeks yields about 1 cup of chopped leek.
Cranberries: Dried cranberries can be quite sweet so I recommend using 50% less sugar dried cranberries if they are available.
Leftovers: Best within 4-5 days. Serve warm or cold.