Description
California quinoa salad brings Mediterranean-inspired freshness to your plate with zesty lemon and herb notes. Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating a light, nutritious meal that delights your palate with each colorful forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 cup (237 ml) uncooked quinoa
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) shelled edamame (thawed, if frozen)
- 1 mango (peeled and diced)
- 0.5 red bell pepper (diced small)
- 0.5 green bell pepper (diced small)
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 small red onion (diced small)
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) unsweetened coconut flakes
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) sliced or slivered almonds
- 0.5 cup (118 ml) raisins
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh chopped cilantro
Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 limes (zested and juiced)
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) balsamic vinegar
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Meticulously rinse quinoa under cold running water using a fine mesh strainer to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter.
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions in a pot, using a 2:1 ratio of water to quinoa (for example, water for quinoa), and simmer until liquid is absorbed and grains are translucent and tender.
- Transfer cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and fluff with a fork, allowing it to cool and release steam for approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Incorporate all prepared ingredients into the quinoa, ensuring even distribution of flavors and textures.
- Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a balanced flavor profile.
- For optimal taste and texture, allow the salad to rest for 15-20 minutes, enabling ingredients to meld together and enhance overall gustatory experience.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature, storing any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- Cooling quinoa prevents clumping and ensures a light, fluffy texture for the perfect salad base.
- Rinsing removes natural coating called saponin, which can taste bitter and impact overall flavor profile.
- Letting grains rest after cooking allows moisture to distribute evenly, creating a more consistent mouthfeel.
- Mixing ingredients gently helps preserve delicate textures and prevents breaking tender components like herbs or avocado.
- Refrigerating enhances flavor melding, allowing seasonings to penetrate ingredients more deeply over time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg