Mmm - A Warm Spring Salad

This one is my version of: Warm Spring Salad by Angela Liddon. It is a simple and delicious treat!

 Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa (or try speltberries)
• *1.5 cups veggie broth
• 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 leek, sliced into rounds or half moons
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bunch asparagus, ends broken off and chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup diced strawberries (optional) *I highly recommend
• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas
• 1 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped *or cilantro!
• *4-6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, to taste
• 6 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 Tbsp pure *honey (or other sweetener)
• 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt & pepper, to taste
• lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
• *1/2 avocado, cubed 
• *Handful of pumpkin seeds
 

 Directions:

• 1. Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and place into a medium pot. Add 1.5 cups vegetable broth (or water) and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low-medium, cover with tight-fitting lid, and cook for 15-17 minutes, or until fluffy and all the water is absorbed. Fluff with fork, remove from heat, and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, grab a very large skillet or wok. Sauté the leek and garlic in the oil for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add in the asparagus and sauté for another 5-10 minutes or until the asparagus is just tender, but still a bit crisp. Stir in the strawberries (optional), peas, and parsley (or cilantro!). Heat for a few minutes and then remove from heat.
• 3. Whisk together the dressing ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt) to taste. Pour dressing onto skillet mixture and stir in the cooked quinoa. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with avocado and pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out the original recipe on "Oh She Glows".
Kudos to Angela!

*My own additions: I used veggie broth (she suggested this in the directions but didn't list it in the ingredients - glad I had some!) I doubled most of the dressing ingredients (except I used 1/2 Tbsp. honey total instead of maple syrup). I also added cubed avocado as a nice garnish (healthy and tasty fat!)- I also think cilantro would be excellent in lieu of parsley. Top with pumpkin seeds! Mmmm.

My cell phone camera is acting up so here is the blurred version :)