Best 5 Quinoa Salad With Dried Fruit And Nuts Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our enticing quinoa salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This wholesome dish is not only a feast for the senses but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Discover the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy in every bite, as the nutty flavor of quinoa harmonizes with the vibrant flavors of dried fruits, the toasty aroma of nuts, and the refreshing crunch of vegetables. This versatile salad can be tailored to your preferences, with endless variations of ingredients and dressings to suit any palate. Whether you're seeking a light and refreshing lunch, a hearty side dish, or a vibrant addition to your next potluck, this quinoa salad is guaranteed to impress. So, embark on this culinary adventure and let your taste buds savor the vibrant flavors and wholesome goodness of this extraordinary dish.

**Additional Delights:**

- Delight in the sweet and tangy symphony of our Dried Fruit and Nut Salad, where succulent dried fruits and crunchy nuts dance in a harmonious blend.

- Experience the Mediterranean magic of our Quinoa Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta, where sun-kissed tomatoes and creamy feta elevate quinoa to new heights of flavor.

- Embark on a culinary journey to the Orient with our Asian Quinoa Salad, a vibrant blend of quinoa, crisp vegetables, and a tantalizing dressing infused with Asian flavors.

- Indulge in the classic charm of our Quinoa Tabbouleh, a refreshing twist on the traditional Middle Eastern salad, where quinoa replaces bulgur to create a delightful harmony of flavors.

- Treat yourself to the comforting goodness of our Quinoa and Black Bean Salad, a hearty and protein-packed salad that combines quinoa, black beans, and a zesty dressing for a satisfying meal.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SERIOUSLY GOOD QUINOA SALAD



Seriously Good Quinoa Salad image

Our ultra-flavorful and satisfying quinoa salad recipe is packed with superfoods. It's easy to make and tastes incredible. Whether you already love quinoa or don't cook it often, this will become your new go-to salad. We share how to cook quinoa on the stovetop in the recipe, for other methods including cooking quinoa in the microwave or a pressure/rice cooker, see our article: How to Prepare and Cook Quinoa. If you are using leftover cooked quinoa, one cup of uncooked quinoa yields three cups of cooked quinoa.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Salad, Main

Time 25m

Yield Makes about 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 medium English cucumber, diced (1 cup)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 baby bok choy, chopped (2 cups)
1 cup additional grated or chopped veggies like carrots or broccoli stems, optional
1/2 cup (65 grams) nuts and seeds like walnuts, pine nuts, pepitas or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (35 grams) dried fruit, blueberries or cranberries
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; use any combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill or mint
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Juice from 2 to 3 lemon wedges, optional

Steps:

  • Add quinoa to a fine mesh strainer, and then rinse under cool water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to a bowl and cover with cool water. Move the quinoa around the bowl, and then drain the water and repeat once more, so the quinoa has been rinsed.
  • Shake the quinoa of any excess liquid. Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed by the quinoa, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Move the saucepan off of the heat and cover for five minutes. This extra time allows the quinoa to steam and "fluff up." Uncover, and then fluff the quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • When the quinoa has cooled slightly, in a large bowl, combine the quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, bok choy, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and the herbs.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until blended.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Taste then adjust with additional salt and pepper as needed. For an extra pop of flavor, spritz the juice from a few lemon wedges over the salad. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 282, Fat 14g, SaturatedFat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 274.5mg, Carbohydrate 33g, Fiber 6.5g, Sugar 7.3g, Protein 8.8g

QUINOA SALAD



Quinoa Salad image

Quinoa, a "new" ingredient that has been around for thousands of years, is a tiny, high-protein grain from South America. It's nicknamed the "wonder grain" because it cooks more quickly than rice, is virtually foolproof, and is lighter and more nutritious than other grains.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 cups water
1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed
5 pickling cucumbers, peeled, ends trimmed, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and diced
1 bunch Italian parsley leaves, chopped
2 bunches mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 heads endive, trimmed and separated into individual spears
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the quinoa, stir once, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes. Strain and rinse well with cold water, shaking the sieve well to remove all moisture.
  • When dry, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, parsley, mint, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well. Spoon onto endive spears, top with avocado, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 319, Fat 20 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 467 milligrams, Carbohydrate 32 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 7 grams, Sugar 4 grams

RAINBOW QUINOA SALAD



Rainbow Quinoa Salad image

Dr. David Eisenberg of the Harvard School of Public Health demonstrated along with his daughter, Naomi, a whole- wheat couscous salad that is the inspiration for this one at the "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives" medical education conference in Napa Valley this year. You can use a variety of dried fruits and nuts, as well as a mix of herbs. Chop the larger dried fruits small so that the pieces are uniform.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, appetizer, main course

Time 35m

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 cups water
2/3 cup chopped dried fruit (such as apricots, raisins, cranberries, figs, currants)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt to taste
1 cup red quinoa or rainbow quinoa, rinsed
1/4 cup lightly toasted pistachios
1/4 cup lightly toasted almonds, chopped
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 small garlic clove, puréeed (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
1/3 cup extra- virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan and add quinoa and salt to taste. Bring back to a rolling boil, then reduce heat slightly and boil gently for 20 minutes, or until you see a thread emerge from the blond and red quinoa. Drain and shake well in the strainer, then return to pot. Cover pot with a dishtowel and then , then place a lid over the dishtowel and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes undisturbed. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, salt, garlic, cinnamon, and pomegranate molasses. Whisk in olive oil.
  • Toss together quinoa and dressing. Add remaining ingredients and toss together. Transfer to a platter, a wide bowl or individual plates and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 266, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 441 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

QUINOA WITH FETA, WALNUTS, AND DRIED CRANBERRIES



Quinoa with Feta, Walnuts, and Dried Cranberries image

Fast and easy to make, this can be used as a main dish, side dish, or even a snack. Please use the 'real deal' Greek feta; it will add so much more flavor!

Provided by Laura Manos Emms

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quinoa
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Bring chicken broth and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and broth has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a bowl.
  • Stir walnuts and cranberries through the quinoa; add feta cheese and gently stir.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.3 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 13.8 mg, Fat 11.4 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 8.6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 195.5 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO, DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS



Quinoa Salad With Avocado, Dried Fruit and Nuts image

Equally delicious and nutritious. This is a hit at dinner parties and good when you want to get extra grains into your menu. And the colors are fab! This makes a huge quantity. The recipe says 4-6 servings, I would consider those main-dish size servings. I think it makes closer to 8-10 side dish servings. Don't be scared off by the food.com calorie calculation!

Provided by yvettemryan

Categories     Kosher

Time 40m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons cranberries
2 tablespoons dried apricots, thinly sliced
1 cup red or white quinoa, rinsed well
kosher salt
1 large lemon
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
2 medium firm-ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (6 to 7 oz. each)
2 medium scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
2 -3 tablespoons toasted almonds
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, soak the cranberries and apricots in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the quinoa, and 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is translucent and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. (The outer germ rings of the grain will remain chewy and white. Some germ rings may separate from the grain and will look like white squiggles.) Immediately fluff the quinoa with a fork and turn it out onto a baking sheet to cool to room temperature.
  • Finely grate the zest from the lemon and then squeeze 1 Tbs. juice. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon zest and juice with the olive oil, coriander, cumin, paprika, and 1/4 teaspoons salt. In a large bowl, toss the vinaigrette with the quinoa, cranberries, apricots, avocado, scallions, and almonds. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 455.6, Fat 29.8, SaturatedFat 4, Sodium 19, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 11.8, Sugar 3.4, Protein 9.2

Tips:

  • Choose the right quinoa: There are many different types of quinoa available, each with its own unique flavor and texture. For this salad, we recommend using a white or tricolor quinoa, as they have a mild flavor that will allow the other ingredients to shine through.
  • Cook the quinoa perfectly: Quinoa is a very delicate grain, so it's important to cook it properly. To ensure that your quinoa is fluffy and light, be sure to rinse it well before cooking and use a ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. Once the water has come to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed.
  • Use a variety of dried fruits and nuts: The best part about this salad is that you can customize it to your own liking. Feel free to use any type of dried fruit or nuts that you enjoy. Some popular options include raisins, cranberries, apricots, almonds, walnuts, and pecans.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: This recipe is just a starting point. Feel free to add other ingredients that you think would be a good fit, such as fresh herbs, grated cheese, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Conclusion:

Quinoa salad with dried fruit and nuts is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and can be customized to your own liking. So next time you're looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, give this quinoa salad a try.

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