Quinoa Salad With Avocado Dried Fruit And Nuts Recipes

QUINOA SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Bring the quinoa, salt, and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Once done, scrape into a large bowl, and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Stir in the green onions, celery, raisins, cayenne pepper, vegetable oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and sesame oil. Allow to stand at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. Stir in the cilantro and pecans before serving.

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO, DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

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.

QUINOA PILAF WITH DRIED FRUIT AND PECANS

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil; stir in the quinoa.
• Decrease heat to low and cook, covered, 10-15 minutes or until tender.
• Remove from heat and drain well.
• Heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir/saute onion until golden.
• Add in the stock, raisins, apricots, cranberries, salt, coriander, pepper, and lemon zest; bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add in the quinoa; stir to combine.
• Cover and decrease heat to very low; cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in the pecans; fluff and serve.

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO AND DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, coriander, cumin and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Salad:.
• In a saucepan, combine quinoa, salt and cold water; bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff with a fork, spread on a large baking sheet and let cool completely.
• Place cranberries and apricots in a small bowl. Cover with warm water and let stand for about 5 minutes or until plump. Drain and set aside.
• Just before serving, peel avocados and cut into bite size chunks. Place in a bowl and toss with dressing to prevent discoloration. Add cooled quinoa, cranberry mixture, green onions and almonds.
• Make ahead: The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. The quinoa can be cooked up to 1 day in advance; after cooling, add the green onions and cranberry mixture, chill. Toss with the avocados just before serving.