This delicious quinoa recipe bursting with superfoods is perfect to make in large quantities on the weekend and eat throughout the week. You can bulk it up by adding a piece of organic chicken, a piece of salmon, or delicious roasted veggies and enjoy it for lunch or dinner. You can even serve it for breakfast with two sunny-side-up eggs on top.
Cook's note: To get a light fluffy quinoa, remember to let it rest covered for at least 10-15 minutes after you've cooked it. I also discovered that adding salt at the end of the cooking process creates a lighter, fluffier quinoa.
Royal Rainbow Superfood Quinoa Salad
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Quinoa
1 teaspoon of coconut oil
1 cup royal rainbow quinoa
1 1/2 cups of veggie stock
1 1/2 - 2 cups chopped kale
1/3 cup dried cherries (or your favorite dried fruit)
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup green onions
Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions
Rinse quinoa to remove any bitter sediment in a fine mesh strainer.
Add one teaspoon of coconut oil to medium sauté pan and toast quinoa for four to six minutes to bloom the nutty flavor.
Bring veggie stock to a boil, add quinoa. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
If the dried cherries are large, run a knife through them and chop. Add kale, dried cherries, and nuts to pot, lightly stir to combine and let sit for at least 10 minutes covered, until dry or slightly moist. Fluff with fork, cool.
Meanwhile, make vinaigrette: add vinegar to a smallish bowl and whisk in until emulsified: olive oil, mustard and salt and pepper to taste.
Once quinoa has cooled, drizzle about 1/4 cup of dressing over quinoa salad (start with less, you can always add more), salt and pepper to taste, stir to combine and serve!
Health Note: I add the kale at the end so it steams it. This helps heal the intestinal flora of your stomach and retains the nutrients of kale.
Images: John Klein