Monday, September 3, 2012

Quinoa Summer Apple Salad


(Quinoa Summer Apple Salad)
For my first recipe I thought I'd share a summer salad that has become a fast favorite of both Troubadour and myself - Quinoa Summer Apple Salad.  We enjoy recipes made with quinoa for it's texture, nutty taste and also the benefit of it containing a complete protein.

I have seen variations of this recipe on multiple websites and no two seem to be the same.  Some have a curried sauce while others are lighter with a vinaigrette.  Here is my version.  I don't remember which website I originally saw the recipe, but I have made a few changes after trying it initially.





INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 Cups Unsweetened Apple Juice
1 Cup Quinoa
1/2 to 1 tsp Cinnamon







2 Apples, cored and diced  (I use Gala apples)
1/2 Cup celery, chopped
1/2 Cup Walnuts, chopped
1/2 Cup dried Cranberries
1 - 6 oz container of Soy or Coconut Yogurt
            (any flavor)






DIRECTIONS:
1.  Bring apple juice and quinoa, and cinnamon to a boil in a medium sized pan.  Reduce heat and cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until most of the juice has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender.  Remove from heat, leave covered, and let rest 5 minutes.  Transfer quinoa to a large mixing bowl and cool in refrigerator at least 1 hour.

2.  Add apples, celery, walnuts, and cranberries and mix well.

3.  Fold in yogurt and serve.

(mixed salad prior to adding yogurt)
I have found that this is even better tasting on the second day and would make a great breakfast as well.

If you are looking to make a non-vegan version you can substitute Greek yogurt although you may need 8 oz as it is thicker. 

 I've also seen this recipe using Chinese Five Spice or ginger in place of the cinnamon.  Although I haven't tried it, it sounds intriguing.

- Au Revoir

" As a child my family's menu consisted of two things:  take it or leave it." - Buddy Hackett

6 comments:

  1. Mouthwatering summer dish. I am looking forward to more installations.

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    1. Thanks Sonja. This one is gluten free too as long as your yogurt doesn't have gluten in it.

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  2. Yum yum! Just had some for breakfast and it was awesome!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again for the bbq invite. We had a great time.

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  3. Apples are now in season here in Troy, Michigan and I will show your recipe to my wife (for her approval, of course).

    I have met Barb Smith, through the IBA and the MTF, and follow her blog "riding and running". I noticed that you usually have a kind comment to add to her latest entry, so I decided to read your blog only to find that you now have healthy recipes as well as well written riding posts.

    My latest breakfast food includes steel cut oats because they have the lowest glycemic index of the grains. Mix steel cut oats, oat bran, old fashioned oats, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, and honey and be ready to ride all day without feeling hungry.

    Larry Raffler aka grampawinger

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Larry and for the kind words.

      I enjoy reading Barb's blog and she inspired me to do my first 5k on the weekend too.

      I am not sure how often I will be posting recipes but I will try and do at least one a week or so. The steel cut oats are always tasty. I have a few recipes I've tried from other sites that are overnight steel cut oats in the crock pot. Tasty stuff for breakfast for sure.

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