Quinoa is tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, apples and scallions in a garlicky lemon vinaigrette to create this simple, protein-packed dish.
I love quinoa because it is an affordable, plant-based source of protein that is naturally gluten free and full of fiber. That being said, until recently, I thought I hated it! As it turns out, I just didn’t know how to prepare it properly. The truth is, quinoa is extremely versatile. It is a blank canvas that can be used in soups, salads, stir-fries, desserts and more.
To achieve quinoa nirvana, it requires a bit of doctoring.
Here are my tips for creating delicious quinoa dishes:
1. Toast and Rinse Quinoa: A secret to cooking quinoa is to rinse it and lightly toast it in a little olive oil before cooking it. If you want to add even more flavor, swap out vegetable or chicken stock for water during the cooking process
2. Season Properly: Salt is your friend when it comes to cooking quinoa. Or any food from scratch for that matter. Remember, no matter how much salt you add when cooking at home you are always going to wind up with less sodium than anything you order in a restaurant or make from a box.
3. Add Texture: Quinoa can be a bit mushy on it’s own. I love combining it with various ingredients to add contrasting textures. Crunchy apples, chewy sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs all add texture to this dish.
Want more delicious quinoa recipes? Check out these other tasty ideas:
Quinoa Caprese Salad from The Lemon Bowl
Hummus Quinoa Cakes from The Lemon Bowl
Your fork is waiting.
Quinoa with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Apples and Scallions
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa prepared according to package instructions
- 1 apple diced
- 12 pieces sun-dried tomatoes minced
- 1/2 cup scallions minced
- 1/4 cup parsley minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 juice of lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, toss together cooked quinoa with diced apples, sun-dried tomatoes, scallions and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over the quinoa mixture and toss well to combine.
- Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts:
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Yummmmmm! I know these flavors would be a hit here, can’t wait to make this!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you try it!! :)
Tina Muir
Wow love that combination! I am addicted to quinoa, I love the tang of sun dried tomatoes….and with apples too! Yum yum yum! You know how to work your flavors! This is wonderful! Pinning right now!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think – you would love this Tina!
Nutmeg Nanny
Wow I love this idea! Such a simple dish, but with such fantastic flavors :)
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know if you try it.. quinoa always needs a little doctoring in my world. :)
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
Ooooops I left my comment in the wrong place! Eeek! But I love the tips you give too, the first time I made qunoa it was mushy and tasteless! Those are all GREAT ideas!
Sarah Cruze
Interesting combo! Love your secret tip for cooking quinoa. So for the link you have listed below for the Quinoa Granola, have you tried rinsing & toasting before baking or do you just leave the quinoa uncooked as it says to? I’m confused. But really want to add quinoa into my diet & I eat homemade granola everyday.
Liz DellaCroce
The Quinoa Granola is not my recipe, Sarah – that comes from Ali at the incredible blog GimmeSomeOven.com – check it out!!
Anna K
Sounds great but could you specify “toasting”? Never
encountered this term used this way.
Also quinoa was getting bad press in the
mainstream media for hiking prices so much that
Andean farmers couldn’t afford to eat what had been
their main staple. But I did a little digging and found a
much more balanced piece on slate.com. Not black and
white–the income helps them greatly as well. Sounds
more like an economic growing pain.
Liz DellaCroce
Toasting simply means lightly browning it in oil. :)
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
I have to say oh my gosh, this looks just amazing!!! I love all of the flavors you have going on here! Beautiful salad!
Liz DellaCroce
It was so good Jennifer! And so easy! Great with any grain of course.
EA-The Spicy RD
I always, always, always rinse, but never tried toasting before-thanks for the tip, and for the delicious quinoa salad too!
Liz DellaCroce
It really does make a difference!! Thanks friend!
ashley M. | Our Full Table
I love quinoa! It’s one of my favorite ingredients to cook with. It’s so so versitile! Love this recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Ashley! This is perfect for leftovers!
Gaby
Quinoa is my favorite because it is so versatile! Love your tips, so smart.
Liz DellaCroce
I totally agree! Thanks Gaby!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Hi Liz! Fellow Michigan-based food blogger (and lemon lover) just stopping by to say hello :) Great post – I was always sort of “meh” about quinoa until I learned to rinse and toast it. It really does make such a huge difference. So worth the extra effort.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Lori!! Great to “meet” you!! Thanks for saying hi!!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
This looks so refreshing, Liz! My body says gimme after my weekend of gluttony!
Liz DellaCroce
Tell me about it sista!! xo
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
What an interesting mix of flavors here. Love the creativity!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Agree with everything you said about quinoa! Love the idea of apple + sundried tomato. I never would have put those two together, but it sounds fabu!
Liz DellaCroce
Not sure where I came up with the idea but it totally worked!
Jenny Flake
I can’t get enough quinoa! Yours looks healthy, and packed with deliciousness :)
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Jenny!! It’s the perfect lunch to use up leftover quinoa!
Joanne
The key to quinoa is definitely the rinsing!! and mixing it with delicious ingredients like this. This is my kind of lunch salad!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! Why did it take me so long to learn that?!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Love your tip on toasting quinoa, I actually haven’t tried that! I am really trying to learn to LOVE quinoa, so maybe that will help! The combo on sundried tomatoes, apples and scallions sounds fab here Liz! Love this one!
Liz DellaCroce
It makes such a difference!