Cinnamon-scented Quinoa & Smoked-chicken Salad

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons oil, olive
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 lb chicken or 1/2 lb turkey, smoked, cut into long thin strips
• 2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup scallion, chopped
• 1/2 cup currants (if available)
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• tabasco sauce or hot sauce

Recipe

• 1 pour 2 cups of water into a medium sized saucepan, add cinnamon stick and salt. bring to a boil over high heat.
• 2 add quinoa, reduce to low heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
• 3 remove the cinnamon stick. fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside.
• 4 in a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, lemon zest, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric and hot sauce. add the chicken/turkey, celery, scallion, currants, pine nuts, and the cooked quinoa.
• 5 toss well to combined.
• 6 season with salt and pepper.