QUINOA AND ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH MIMOSA VINAIGRETTE

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Quinoa and Asparagus Salad with Mimosa Vinaigrette image

Provided by Melissa Roberts

Categories     Salad     Passover     Mint     Quinoa     Asparagus     Spring     Healthy     Cilantro     Lemon Juice     Green Onion/Scallion     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups (8 ounces) quinoa
2 1/2 cups water
Kosher or fine salt
5 scallions, trimmed
1 pound asparagus, tough ends trimmed
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
2 teaspoons mild honey
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Special Equipment
A sharp vegetable peeler

Steps:

  • Put eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then cover pan, and remove from heat. Let eggs stand, covered, 15 minutes, then drain, and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool completely. Remove shells and finely grate eggs with a Microplane or the fine holes of box grater into a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Rinse quinoa well in a large fine-mesh sieve under cold running water. Set sieve over a bowl and let quinoa drain well for at least 5 minutes. Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil with 1/2 teaspoon salt (kosher or fine) in a 3-quart saucepan. Add quinoa and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, 16 to 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let quinoa stand, covered, 5 minutes. Spoon quinoa onto a large rimmed baking sheet, spreading it in a single layer, and let it cool to room temperature.
  • Cut scallions into 2-inch pieces. Halve each piece lengthwise, then slice lengthwise into thin strips (julienne). Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Using vegetable peeler, peel lengthwise strips from asparagus, beginning at bottom end, and add to scallion. Once you can't peel any more slices from a stalk, break off the thick end (reserving it for another use, such as soup) and add the remaining thin strip to bowl with scallions.
  • Whisk together lemon juice with honey and 3/4 teaspoon kosher (1/2 teaspoon fine) salt until smooth. Add oil in a steady stream, whisking until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired, then whisk in grated eggs.
  • Transfer quinoa to another large bowl and toss with herbs and 1/2 cup vinaigrette, or to taste. Toss asparagus with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spoon quinoa onto salad plates, and top with a tangle of asparagus and scallion. Serve remaining vinaigrette on the side, or save, chilled, for another salad.

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