Best 2 Quinoa Salad With Winter Veggies And Buffalo Chicken Sausage Recipes

Quinoa salad is a healthy and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. This particular recipe combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with the spicy kick of buffalo chicken sausage, plus a variety of fresh winter vegetables for a nutritious and satisfying meal. The salad is also packed with protein and fiber, making it a great option for those looking for a healthy and filling meal. The recipe also includes instructions for making a homemade buffalo sauce, which can be used to toss the chicken sausage or served on the side for dipping. In addition to the quinoa salad, the article also includes recipes for roasted winter vegetables, buffalo chicken sausage, and a creamy blue cheese dressing. These recipes can be used to create a complete and delicious meal that is perfect for a cold winter day.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

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

Ingredients

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

QUINOA SALAD WITH WINTER VEGGIES AND BUFFALO CHICKEN SAUSAGE

Quinoa Salad with Winter Veggies and Buffalo Chicken Sausage image

This hearty grain salad with browned sausage, carrots, and butternut squash is tossed with quinoa for a delicious all-in-one meal.

Provided by Dietz & Watson

Categories Dietz & Watson

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

¾ cup uncooked quinoa
1 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 links Dietz & Watson Buffalo Chicken Sausage, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup shredded carrot
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Steps:

Put the quinoa and chicken broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
While quinoa cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate.
Add another tablespoon oil to pan, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the squash and carrots and cook about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-firm.
In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, remaining oil, cumin, salt and black pepper. Add quinoa, sausage, squash-carrot and onion mixture and mix. Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or up to two days. When ready to serve, stir in the parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 222.8 calories, Carbohydrate 18.5 g, Cholesterol 30.6 mg, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 13.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 547.1 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

Tips:

Selecting ripe and flavorful vegetables is crucial for this salad. Look for vibrant-colored veggies that are firm and free of blemishes.
Feel free to customize the vegetables in the salad based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Some other great options include roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or even roasted butternut squash.
To save time, you can use pre-cooked quinoa or roasted vegetables. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
If you can't find buffalo chicken sausage, you can use regular chicken sausage and add your own buffalo sauce.
Serve the salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

This hearty and flavorful quinoa salad is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It's packed with roasted vegetables, protein-packed chicken sausage, and a tangy dressing that will leave you wanting more. So next time you're looking for a healthy and satisfying salad, give this recipe a try!