Apple Quinoa Salad
A refreshing and nutritious salad bursting with sweetness from apples, tartness from cranberries, and crunch from walnuts, all balanced with a light vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa Rinsed before cooking
- 2 cups water For cooking quinoa
- 2 pieces apples, diced Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith based on preference
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional) Use dairy-free alternative if needed
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- to taste Salt and pepper Adjust according to preference
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until the water is absorbed.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced apples, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and optional feta cheese. Toss gently to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients - olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
Assembly
- Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Let the salad sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving
- Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Store dressing separately to keep salad fresh. This salad can be prepared ahead of time, just add apples before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 200mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8g
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