Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 cup diced and roasted butternut squash
• 1 apple, diced (I used a Gala apple)
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups baby kale or spinach, chopped
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons toasted walnuts
• 2 tablespoons pepitas (raw or roasted and salted)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cider vinaigrette for dressing the salad.

Instructions

1. In a medium sized saucepan bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil.
2. Rinse and drain the quinoa then add it to the boiling water.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let the quinoa cook for about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
4. Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
5. Prepare the cider vinaigrette and set aside.
6. In a large bowl combine the cooled quinoa, roasted butternut squash, apple, green onion, baby kale, dried cranberries, almonds and pepitas.
7. Mix in the desired amount of cider vinaigrette and season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper as needed.
8. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.