Quinoa Asparagus and Feta Salad: A Vibrant Medley of Flavors and Textures
Indulge in a burst of flavors and textures with our tantalizing Quinoa Asparagus and Feta Salad. This delectable salad combines the earthy goodness of quinoa, the crisp tenderness of asparagus, and the tangy creaminess of feta cheese. Tossed in a zesty lemon-tahini dressing, this vibrant dish is a symphony of flavors that will awaken your taste buds.
In addition to the main recipe, we also offer variations to suit your preferences. For a vegan option, simply omit the feta cheese and use a plant-based dressing. Craving a heartier salad? Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost. And if you're short on time, try our quick and easy version using pre-cooked quinoa and store-bought dressing.
No matter which recipe you choose, this Quinoa Asparagus and Feta Salad is sure to impress. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side salad, or even as a main course for a vegetarian or vegan meal. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on a culinary journey filled with vibrant flavors and textures.
QUINOA AND ASPARAGUS SALAD
I had been cooking quinoa sort of like pasta, in 3 parts water, then draining it and letting it dry in a towel-covered pan. This is a good way to obtain very fluffy grains, but sometimes my quinoa is soggy when I cook it this way, even after it rests under the towel. So, I decided to change the grain-to-water ratio and followed the directions on my Alter Eco quinoa packages (Alter Eco imports red, rainbow and pearl quinoas). I cooked the pearl and the red quinoas in 1 1/2 parts water and the rainbow in 2 parts water. The black quinoa in the rainbow mix takes a little longer to soften and requires a little more liquid. The grains were tighter and less moist than quinoa cooked in abundant water, and the yield was not as great because the grains don't swell as much. But I liked the results, especially for salads like this one. For this salad, I cook 1 cup of quinoa in 1 1/2 cups water to get a slightly tighter, drier grain. The dressing is a lemony buttermilk dressing.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories salads and dressings
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse several times with cold water. Place in a medium saucepan with 1 1/2 cups water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 15 minutes, until the grains display a threadlike spiral and the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, remove the lid and place a dish towel over the pan, then return the lid to the pan and let sit for 10 minutes or longer undisturbed. Transfer to a salad bowl and fluff with forks.
- Steam the asparagus for 3 to 4 minutes, until just tender. Rinse with cold water, pat dry and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces. Add to the quinoa, along with the radishes, pine nuts, chives and tarragon.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, salt, olive oil, buttermilk and pepper. Shortly before serving, toss with the quinoa and asparagus mixture. Sprinkle the feta over the top and serve. If desired, drizzle a teaspoon of the lemon-scented olive oil over each serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 186, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 480 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
QUINOA SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, GOAT CHEESE AND BLACK OLIVES
Provided by Bobby Flay
Time 55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- For the vinaigrette: Combine the vinegar, honey and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few times to incorporate.
- For the quinoa salad: Bring the salted water or vegetable stock to a boil and add the thyme. Stir in the quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Preheat the grill. Brush the asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on all sides until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the grill and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl, fold in the asparagus, olives, goat cheese, basil and parsley. Add just enough vinaigrette to moisten the salad; don't make it too wet. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with more of the vinaigrette.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 477 calorie, Fat 29 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 9 milligrams, Sodium 446 milligrams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 13 grams, Sugar 6 grams
ASPARAGUS QUINOA SALAD
Steps:
- Put the quinoa in a strainer and rinse it for a minute or two under running water. Put the water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the quinoa, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, or until soft. (When it's done, the quinoa seeds will have little wisps spiraling off of them-this is the germ separating from the seed.) Drain the quinoa in a strainer.
- While the quinoa is cooking, break off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus and cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Place in a saucepan, add about 1/2 inch of water, and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until barely tender. (Alternatively, if you have a microwave, place the asparagus in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water, cover with plastic wrap or wax paper, and microwave on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until barely tender.) Drain the asparagus and place it under cold running water for 1 minute to cool it down.
- Cut the kalamata olives into thin slices. Cut the tomato in half, scrape the seeds out of the tomato with a small tool or your finger, and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Finely grate 1 teaspoon of the lemon peel. Be careful to only grate the yellow part; the white pith underneath is bitter. Squeeze 3 tablespoons of juice from the lemon.
- Place the quinoa in a bowl with the asparagus, kalamata olives, tomato, and lemon zest and stir until combined. Whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil and pour over the quinoa mixture. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the feta cheese.
- bargain shopper
- Grains such as quinoa, bulgur wheat, and rice are available prepackaged in most grocery stores. But you can save a substantial amount of money by purchasing them from the bulk food section at a natural food store. For that matter, many supermarkets now have bulk food sections, too.
QUINOA & FETA SALAD WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES
Quinoa is a fine, protein-packed grain that helps to keep you satisfied until your next meal, making this veggie salad a great lunchbox filler
Provided by Sarah Cook
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook the quinoa following pack instructions, then drain really well and set aside.
- Meanwhile heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the onion and peppers with 1 tbsp of the oil and seasoning on a roasting tray, then roast for 15 mins.
- Toss the courgettes and garlic with the rest of the veg and roast for another 15 mins.
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash with some seasoning. Stir in the remaining oil, lemon juice and zest and season with sugar to taste. Drizzle over the quinoa and toss together with the roasted vegetables and parsley. Crumble over the feta, toss gently again and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 404 calories, Fat 21.4 grams fat, SaturatedFat 8.4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 35.3 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11.2 grams sugar, Fiber 2.6 grams fiber, Protein 17.3 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- For the best results, use fresh, young asparagus. Look for spears that are bright green and have tightly closed tips.
- If you don't have feta cheese, you can substitute another type of salty cheese, such as Parmesan or goat cheese.
- Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme, to the salad for extra flavor.
- You can also add other vegetables to the salad, such as chopped cucumber, bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes.
- Quinoa salad is a great make-ahead meal. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Quinoa asparagus and feta salad is a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Plus, it is a salad that everyone will enjoy, even those who are not typically fans of quinoa. So next time you are looking for a healthy and satisfying salad, give this quinoa asparagus and feta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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