Lentil Quinoa Salad

My favorite quinoa recipe from this year is this Lentil Quinoa Salad that my friend Stacey directed me to on foodnetwork.com

Lentil Quinoa Salad by Lea

Salad:
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 cup lentils
2 green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Cook rinsed lentils according to package.  Bring 2 cups water to boil, add 1/2 cup lentils and simmer until tender - about 30 minutes.  Drain and set aside.  Note: I soak my lentils either for several hours or overnight before cooking.
 
Cook quinoa according to package (kind of like cooking rice).  Bring 1 cup water (plus optional salt) to boil, add 1/2 cup quinoa (rinsed).  Simmer, covered until water is absorbed - about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, let sit, fluff with fork.

 Dressing: 
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lime, zested (or splash of lime juice)
Salt & pepper

Whisk together mustard and vinegar, then drizzle in oil.  Add garlic powder, and lime zest (or juice), then salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble & Serve: 
Mix lentils, quinoa, green onions, and cilantro in a bowl.  I like to serve over a bed of fresh spinach.  Top with dressing.  By the time I serve, the lentils and quinoa are mostly cooled.  If eating left overs, I do not re-heat, as the mix is good cold!