Mediterranean Couscous-Quinoa Salad with Tahini Sauce – Catskill Animal Sanctuary

Ingredients

• ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 cup water
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup instant couscous
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or substitute 1 large tomato, chopped)
• ½ medium cucumber, chopped
• ¼ cup cup pitted black or kalamata olives, chopped
• ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts or hearts of palm (or both!)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, or more, if desired, for a bright fresh taste
• ¼ cup sliced almonds (or substitute sunflower or raw pumpkin seeds)
• 2 tsp capers, drained
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup tahini
• ⅓ cup warm water
• 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil