QUINOA, SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD

Quinoa, Spinach and Mushroom Salad image

This is almost a classic spinach and mushroom salad, but it's bulked up by the quinoa, which goes very well with the mix and is nicely complemented by the walnuts.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3/4 cup quinoa
1 1/4 cups water
Salt to taste
1 bag baby spinach, rinsed and dried, or 1/2 bunch spinach, stemmed, washed and dried
6 white or cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled (1/4 cup, optional)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, puréed
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup buttermilk
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse several times with cold water. Place in a medium saucepan with 1 1/4 cups water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 15 minutes, until the grains display a threadlike spiral and the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, remove the lid and place a dish towel over the pan, then return the lid to the pan and let sit for 10 minutes or longer undisturbed. Transfer to a salad bowl and fluff with forks. Allow to cool.
Add the spinach, mushrooms, walnuts, parsley and optional cheese to the bowl. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 173, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 374 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams