Quinoa is a super food. It’s rich with protein, is a good source of fibre, contains essential amino acids, and looks weird. Ergo, it must be good for you.
I tried eating quinoa about a year ago. I boiled some up and ate it plain. I didn’t feel instantly healthy or impressed.
More recently, I discovered that one of my favourite lunch haunts, Sunterra in Commerce Place here in Edmonton, sells a quinoa and apple salad in their market. I have had it a few times, and it is delicious.
Although buying lunch from Sunterra does not drain the bank account, I said to myself, “I can make this myself”. So I did. And here’s what I came up with:
Quinoa and Apple Salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
Granny smith apple – peeled, seeds removed, and chopped
Corn (canned) (I used a little less than one small tin)
Orange pepper – chopped
Green onions, 3 – sliced thin, include the green bits
Parsley, a handful, chopped fine
Lemon juice (just a few squirts to keep the apples from turning brown)
Dry cranberries (about 1/3 cup)
Chili flakes (a few shakes of the shaker)
Garlic (2 cloves – minced fine)
Mint (I use dried mint leaves – one or two tsp)
1/4 cup white vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup (a bit less than that) canola oil
Cook one cup quinoa in two cups water per package directions. Which means put the quinoa and water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover. Leave it alone for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Fluff with fork. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile… chop your apple and veggies, open the can of corn, squirt your lemon juice and mix it all together with lemon juice, cranberries, chili flakes, and mint.
Then…. make a vinaigrette: I mixed about 1/4 cup white vinegar with a bit less than a 1/4 cup canola oil. Whisk with salt, pepper, and about 1/2 tsp of sugar. Or to taste.
Mix the cold quinoa, apple, vegetables mix and vinaigrette in a large bowl.
Admire the pretty colours. Eat. Feel healthy.
Walsh Cooks - An Edmonton Food Blog 
Oooh, nice. I discovered quinoa last year, and we make it a point to eat it at least once a week, especially as child doesn’t eat meat hence the need for protein. I love my Indian inspired salad, but yours looks so good, and would be perfect for summer!
Oooh, nice. I discovered quinoa last year, and we make it a point to eat it at least once a week, especially as child doesn’t eat meat hence the need for protein. I love my Indian inspired salad, but yours looks so good, and would be perfect for summer!
I’m not a big fan of quinoa, generally speaking, but Save-on-Food makes a real nice curried quinoa salad in their deli take-out dept. The key is the CURRY. Gives it some flavour. Yum, yum.
Glad to hear there’s another nice salad out there too. Will have to swing by Sunterra’s and pick some up to try.
I am just discovering quinoa and quite enjoying it. This weekend I made a cucumber mint salad which was delish and can be found in the Quinoa 365 cookbook. Last week I made a Moroccan quinoa salad that I found the recipe for in the spring issue of Occasions magazine. It was excellent although I did make a couple of additions to the recipe. Tonight I am going to make a recipe called Savory Stuffing which is a side dish for poultry.
Claudette was telling me about Quinoa 365, and mentioned a chocolate cake she makes using quinoa. I withhold comment until I try it!
Curried quinoa would be delicious. I agree with you, quinoa needs strong flavours surrounding it to make it palatable. That’s why last year’s attempt was an epic fail.
I’ll have to check out your recipe MPJ. I am certain it is delicious.
Are we hitting a patio soon with Habanerogal?? 🙂
well well well…my favorite foodie is recommending a food for me to try…that up until now, I couldn’t be a member of the popular band wagon society. I will most definitely be trying this recipe Cath as it will be an easy take along item for my lunch at work!
We are. Very soon it is happening (go, Yoda!)
OK Cath, so I made it and it is ridiculously good. This bad boy is going to work and I’m going to eat in front of everyone so they can marvel at my culinary skills (they really are your tho). Of course I will tell everybody to look @Walshcooks for more legit recipes. Well done my fave foodie!!!!! Might even earn me some brownie points with the M.I.L.! Never a bad thing…