CRISPY VEGAN QUINOA CAKES

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup rinsed, white quinoa
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon herbs de Provence ( or Italian dried herbs)
• zest from one small lemon (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley (optional)
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil ( or flat-leaf parsley, dill, or mint, or a combo!) chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion (or finely sliced red onion )
• 1 ½ cup cooked chickpeas (1 can, drained and rinsed)
• 3 Tbs olive oil
• 3 Tbs balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt … more to taste
• 1 small minced garlic clove (optional)