Quinoa Salad with Broccoli-Avocado Pesto

Ingredients
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 2 medium heads broccoli, cut into florets
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• Sea salt
• 1 ripe avocado, pit removed
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts or almonds
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 pound mushrooms
• 2 ounces parmesan cheese, cut into small chunks
• fresh lemon juice (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Toss the broccoli and garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until both broccoli and garlic are beginning to brown. Stir part way through if anything looks like it is burning.
3. Set aside 1/2 cup of the roasted broccoli pieces.
4. Add the remaining roasted broccoli, roasted garlic, avocado, parmesan cheese, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to a blender, and blend until a smooth puree is formed. Taste and season with salt. Stir in a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
5. Mix half a cup of the broccoli pesto and the reserved broccoli florets into the cooked quinoa. Save any leftover pesto in the fridge for another use.
6. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the nuts to the dry pan and toast, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant and beginning to turn golden brown. Remove from pan and add to cooked quinoa.
7. Add the butter to the same frying pan and let it melt. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add to the salad and serve the whole mixture warm.

Source: American Nutrition Association

Image courtesy of Greatist