Fresh & Flavor-Packed Favorite Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Quinoa Apple Salad combining the nutty flavor of quinoa with sweet gala apples, dried cranberries, and crunchy candied walnuts, all tossed in a tangy maple-Dijon vinaigrette. This salad is a perfect healthy meal or side dish that is fruity, fresh, and packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa & Broth
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa, rinsed
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Salad Mix-Ins
- 1 gala apple, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup celery, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup candied walnuts
Vinaigrette Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth and rinsed quinoa to a boil. Stir in dried cranberries, then cover and remove from heat. Let it stand for 15 minutes to absorb the liquid, then fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large salad bowl.
- Prepare Vinaigrette: While the quinoa is resting, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground allspice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the diced gala apple, diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, and candied walnuts to the quinoa in the salad bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance the flavors. This salad can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature for a refreshing treat.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa before cooking removes its natural bitterness.
- For added crunch, toast the walnuts lightly before candying them if preferred.
- This salad is best served chilled but can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with honey for a different flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free vegetable broth to keep the salad gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Quinoa salad, apple salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, fruit salad, walnut salad, gluten-free salad, maple Dijon vinaigrette
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/fresh-and-flavor-packed-favorite-recipe/
