Salads have come a long way from the lowly days of a few leaves of iceberg lettuce, a couple of croutons and a gob of dressing. If anything, the modern salad has become a wonderful way to marry flavors, ingredients and texture beyond even what some entrees do.
Full of vibrant, fresh colors, this grain salad is the perfect power lunch or a great side dish. If you’re looking for a salad that has a lot going on (in a good way), continue reading. This is one of those the-more-the-merrier recipes when it comes to the raw ingredients, which include something you may have growing in your backyard!
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once oil is shimmering, add quinoa and stir frequently until moisture is cooked off and quinoa is toasted.
Add vegetable broth to saucepan with quinoa, turn heat up to boil and then back down to low. Simmer uncovered until all liquid is absorbed.
Rinse baby spinach (if using full spinach leaves, de-stem and cut into 1 inch pieces).
Transfer quinoa to large bowl and add fresh spinach while quinoa is still hot to wilt the leaves.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes and add peppers and tomatoes. MIx thoroughly.
Serve mixture in bowl and garnish with shredded/julienned carrots and your favorite dressing (an Italian-style matches the flavors better than something like ranch).
Ingredients
Directions
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once oil is shimmering, add quinoa and stir frequently until moisture is cooked off and quinoa is toasted.
Add vegetable broth to saucepan with quinoa, turn heat up to boil and then back down to low. Simmer uncovered until all liquid is absorbed.
Rinse baby spinach (if using full spinach leaves, de-stem and cut into 1 inch pieces).
Transfer quinoa to large bowl and add fresh spinach while quinoa is still hot to wilt the leaves.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes and add peppers and tomatoes. MIx thoroughly.
Serve mixture in bowl and garnish with shredded/julienned carrots and your favorite dressing (an Italian-style matches the flavors better than something like ranch).
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