KALE QUINOA SALAD

Kale Quinoa Salad image

Here's a holiday side dish you can feel good about serving. Kale packs a mighty punch of vitamins, while quinoa delivers a hearty serving of protein. Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can't be beat! -Lisa Warren, Washington, DC

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup tomato juice
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 cups coarsely chopped fresh kale
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup dried currants
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

In a large saucepan, bring water and tomato juice to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 18-22 minutes. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork., In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in kale and cook until wilted, 3-4 minutes., Stir in pine nuts and currants; cook until kale is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper; cook 1-2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and stir in quinoa. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges