Quinoa Winter Salad

So I have been on a search for recipes that use Quinoa because It is my runner up for favorite grain right after Brown Rice. And being vegetarian, I am on the look out for filling and very nutrient rich meals and this salad is one that will make your tummy smile. It is really easy and takes about 15 min to make. It is a new favorite recipe of mine.

I was so excited that when it was done I taste-tested it and I couldn't stop eating it!! I ate it all before I could snap a pic, but luckily the site I found the recipe I found it on had one!! Doesn't it look spectacular??

Also, it was so good I just had to share the recipe with all my family, friends, and fans :) So here it is:

Quinoa Winter salad

1. Toast almonds 4 to 5 minutes in dry skillet or toaster oven, or until pale brown and fragrant, stirring often.
2. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add quinoa and salt, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes, or until tender and almost all water is absorbed. Drain, then transfer to large bowl. Toss with apricots and raisins.
3. Whisk together orange juice, shallot, parsley, cilantro, mint, orange zest, cumin, and coriander. Whisk in oil. Pour dressing over quinoa, and toss to coat. Garnish with orange slices and toasted almonds.

ingredient list

Serves 4

• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup dried apricots, diced into small pieces
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.)
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
• 2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
• 1 Tbs. grated orange zest
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 oranges, peels sliced off and sections cut out