Quinoa Salad 🥗 + Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 🍪

Looking for an easy, refreshing, and protein-packed meal idea? Our June 10th Food & Community session featured a bright quinoa salad paired with soft, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies—the perfect sweet and savoury combo to keep you energized and satisfied.

🥗 Quinoa Salad (Serves ~8 side salads)

Adapted from Cookie & Kate

Retrieved from Cookie & Kate

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked quinoa

• 6 cups water

• 3 cans (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 3 medium cucumbers, diced

• 3 red bell peppers, diced

• 2¼ cups chopped red onion

• 3 cups chopped fresh parsley

• ¾ cup olive oil

• ¾ cup lemon juice

• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 6 garlic cloves, minced

• 1½ tsp sea salt

• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the quinoa: Rinse and combine with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered ~15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let it rest for 5 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and parsley.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, and salt.

4. Add cooled quinoa to the bowl with veggies, pour in the dressing, and toss.

5. Season with black pepper and let sit 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy chilled or at room temp!

🍪 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Yields ~24 cookies)

Adapted from Delish

Retrieved from Delish

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats

• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

4. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

5. Scoop dough onto sheets (about 2" apart) and bake ~12 minutes or until set.

This pairing is perfect for a summer lunch or casual gathering with friends. High-protein, fibre-rich, and easy to make—exactly what we need to stay nourished and energized.

Let us know if you try it out! 🌿🍪