Pages

Friday, November 10, 2023

Fall Flavors: Quinoa Harvest Salad

My Quinoa Harvest Salad is bursting with fall flavors! Apples, pears, dried cranberries, quinoa and spinach are doused with a cider vinaigrette for a healthy, seasonal salad!



Quinoa Harvest Salad


When Fall hits I start wanting all the seasonal ingredients I can get.  I decided that our first salad of the season would combine some sweet/tart flavors mixed with multi colored quinoa.  I love to make large salad that we can eat with meals and as a snack all week long.  This one is perfect for that.

Tart apples, sweet pears, and tart dried cranberries are mixed with quinoa and baby spinach then tossed with a delicious cider vinaigrette.  It's the perfect harvest salad!  Never made your own vinaigrette?  Let me show you how easy it is.

Enjoy!




What Ingredients do I need?

Produce
Pears - I used D'Anjou
Apples - I used Envy
Baby spinach

Nuts and Dried Fruit
Dried Cranberries

Grains
Quinoa - I used a multi-colored variety

Pantry Items
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dijon Mustard
Garlic clove


Substitutions and Variations

  • Change up the salad greens:  Use any dark leafy green such as chopped kale or arugula
  • Try adding squash: Roasted butternut or sweet potatoes
  • Add nuts:  Think pepitas or pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds - or go nut free
  • Change up the dried fruit:  go with raisins, golden raisins, dried cherries, or even apricots
  • Try a different grain:  bulgur, farro, or quinoa would all be great choices



Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • Make Ahead:  cook your quinoa on the weekend and then refrigerate until you make the salad during the week.
  • Apples come in many varieties:  try Gala, Jazz, or Golden Delicious


HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.








Quinoa Harvest Salad


serves 6


Salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 apples, diced (I used an Envy apple)
2 pear, diced (I used D'Anjou)
2 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup dried cranberries

Apple Cider Vinaigrette
1/4 olive oil
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tsp garlic, minced
pinch of salt & pepper to taste

Cook quinoa according to the package directions. Don't forget to rinse the quinoa to remove the bitterness.
Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl combine the cooled quinoa, apple, pear, dried cranberries, and baby spinach.  Toss to combine.  

In a small jar mix together the apple cider vinaigrette ingredients.  

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat.  Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.  













No comments:

Post a Comment