Sarah @ work gave us this terrific salad recipe:
Quinoa Salad Recipe
- 1 cup Quinoa (Rinse well, add to 2 cups boiling water, simmer covered for 12-15 min. let sit for 5).
- 2 big handfuls dried cranberries
- 1 handful sliced almonds
- 1 handful pine nuts (optional)
Add all these ingredients into a large bowl.
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp chopped green onion
- 6 tbsp Orange Juice
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (optional — can sub a pinch of sugar)
- 1 clove garlic chopped finely
- 1/3+ cup olive oil
- Salt, salt, salt to taste.
Make dressing separately and then mix in well.
You can modify it numerous ways; try adding orange zest; swap out cranberries for any other dried sweet fruit; use toasted almonds; add cut up veggies.
Quinoa is also good vehicle getting rid of those left over fruits and vegetables — although you’ll probably want to make the dressing less sweet depending on how you change the ingredients.
This salad is best “2nd day” – make it and leave it stand covered in the fridge overnight. The dressing soaks in.
Thanks Sarah!
YUM! i’m gonna make it this weeekend!
Neat! I love “second day” foods. I’ve heard quinoa it’s a great source of protein, which is important for meat-eaters like me who’d like to spare the animal kind. I’ve also heard it’s pronounced “KEEN-wa”, which makes me glad I’ve never attempted to buy it before now. :)
Have you ever tried preparing “keen-wa” in a rice cooker? Just askin….
Nope – but I bet that would work perfectly — GREAT IDEA !!! I’ll try it next week.
I have made a similar quinoa salad for years. I cook the quinoa in orange juice (or half OJ, half water). Sometimes I also add a tablespoon or two of chili garlic sauce for added flavour and colour. Dried apricots are a wonderful substitute for (or addtion to) cranberries.
Great idea Elli – i’ll try that one next !!