Best Blueberry And Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipes

SERIOUSLY GOOD QUINOA SALAD

Seriously Good Quinoa Salad image

Our ultra-flavorful and satisfying quinoa salad recipe is packed with superfoods. It's easy to make and tastes incredible. Whether you already love quinoa or don't cook it often, this will become your new go-to salad. We share how to cook quinoa on the stovetop in the recipe, for other methods including cooking quinoa in the microwave or a pressure/rice cooker, see our article: How to Prepare and Cook Quinoa. If you are using leftover cooked quinoa, one cup of uncooked quinoa yields three cups of cooked quinoa.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories Salad, Main

Time 25m

Yield Makes about 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 medium English cucumber, diced (1 cup)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 baby bok choy, chopped (2 cups)
1 cup additional grated or chopped veggies like carrots or broccoli stems, optional
1/2 cup (65 grams) nuts and seeds like walnuts, pine nuts, pepitas or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (35 grams) dried fruit, blueberries or cranberries
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; use any combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill or mint
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Juice from 2 to 3 lemon wedges, optional

Steps:

Add quinoa to a fine mesh strainer, and then rinse under cool water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to a bowl and cover with cool water. Move the quinoa around the bowl, and then drain the water and repeat once more, so the quinoa has been rinsed.
Shake the quinoa of any excess liquid. Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed by the quinoa, 10 to 15 minutes.
Move the saucepan off of the heat and cover for five minutes. This extra time allows the quinoa to steam and "fluff up." Uncover, and then fluff the quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool slightly.
When the quinoa has cooled slightly, in a large bowl, combine the quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, bok choy, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and the herbs.
In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until blended.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Taste then adjust with additional salt and pepper as needed. For an extra pop of flavor, spritz the juice from a few lemon wedges over the salad. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 282, Fat 14g, SaturatedFat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 274.5mg, Carbohydrate 33g, Fiber 6.5g, Sugar 7.3g, Protein 8.8g

QUINOA AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Quinoa and Cucumber Salad image

This nutritious, easy-to-make Quinoa and Cucumber Salad makes a smart side dish or a light entree. The recipe comes from "Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Steps:

Combine quinoa and the water in a medium saucepan; add salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and has absorbed all liquid, 11 to 13 minutes. (The germ ring should be visible along the outer edge of the grain.) Transfer to a medium bowl, and cool to room temperature.
Add vinegar, oil, cucumber, scallions, and parsley; season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.