Quinoa and Spinach Salad

This very easy Quinoa and Spinach Salad is so delicious. As well as being nutrient-dense, it has vibrant colour and the flavoursome tang of citrus. It has a base of nutritious quinoa, with flavour, colour and nutrients added by spring onions, baby spinach, mandarin segments, pomegranate arils and slivered almonds. Enjoy it as a side dish to meat, poultry or fish or a nutritious, meat-free, light meal.

• 1 cup (175 g) white quinoa – rinsed well
• 2 cups (500 ml) water – for cooking the quinoa
• 4 mandarins – segments separated, and white membrane removed
• 5 spring/green onions – finely sliced – the white and a little of the green part
• 1 1 /2 cups baby spinach leaves
• ½ cup flaked almonds
• ½ pomegranate – arils removed

• 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed, or to taste
• 3 teaspoon maple syrup
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste