Description
A refreshing salad packed with quinoa, apples, cranberries, and kale, topped with a tangy dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3/4 cup tricolor quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 2 medium unpeeled apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), chopped
- 1 large bunch curly kale (about 5 oz), roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring water or vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, sprinkle dried cranberries on top, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes.
- Place roughly chopped kale in a large bowl and season with kosher salt. Massage kale for about 1 minute until softened and volume is reduced. Add cooked quinoa with cranberries, chopped apples, sliced red onion, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta. Toss gently to combine.
- Whisk together Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, balancing the flavors.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or chill briefly for a refreshing flavor.
Notes
- Feel free to use any type of apples you prefer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg