HARVEST CHOPPED QUINOA SALAD

Harvest Chopped Quinoa Salad image

Provided by Chicagoland Chef du

Time 1h5m

Yield 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/2 cup quinoa, toasted and cooked to yield 1 C
2 cups butternut squash, peeled, cubed, roasted
2 tablespoons olive oil, needed to coat
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 fugi apple, cored, peeled if desired
1/2 seedless cucumber, unpeeled cut into chunks
1/4 cup dried presweetened cranberries, can substitute dried cherries
1/4 cup candied walnuts, rough chop
1/2 cup mild feta cheese, goat cheese
1/4 cup radicchio, for color
2 cups salad greens
1/2-3/4 cup sherry vinaigrette, recipe follows, use enough to dress salad as desired
1 medium shallot, minced
2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
9 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
fine sea salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Prepare butternut squash: Peel, seed and cube. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper. Roast until tender, and edges caramelized about 10-15 minutes depending on size of cubes. Cool and set aside.
Toast quinoa (recipe noted in intro) and cook according to package directions. Cool completely and set aside. *This can be done ahead of time.
Make vinaigrette (recipe below), set aside.
In a large bowl: combine roasted butternut squash, fugi apple, seedless cucumber. Add walnuts and cranberries. Add quinoa, toss, then add feta cheese, drizzle with vinaigrette and gently toss to combine. Add more vinaigrette to taste at table.
Combine salad greens & radicchio, arrange on plates. Top with the Quinoa mixture.
DRESSING: Sherry Vinaigrette, Makes 3/4 cup.
Stir shallot, vinegar, lemon juice, and mustard in a small bowl and let macerate for at least 15 minutes.
Gradually whisk in oil (or stir first 4 ingredients in a jar with a lid, add oil, screw on lid, and shake to combine).
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
DO AHEAD: Cover and chill in an airtight container for up to 1 week. To freshen the flavor of the dressing after a few days, add a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice.