Showing posts with label Vegetarian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegetarian. Show all posts

12/13/2024

Holiday Quinoa Crunch Salad

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I am sure most of you have those ubiquitous side dishes for your holiday meals that are a requested staple from family and friends. I know my family has theirs. But why not change things up and introduce this gem of a recipe? This salad is excellent alongside a holiday roast, but it is also a well-received option for your vegetarian guests. Quinoa, pomegranate arils (seeds), a bit of red onion, fresh flat-leaf parsley, and almonds make up the base of this recipe, making it packed full of nutritional benefits and texture but also a "gotta go back for more" flavor!  

Speaking of flavor, I think what really got me with this salad was the dressing. It is a light citrus dressing that has just a hint of holiday spice from cinnamon and allspice. So, use only some of those spices in your desserts!

Since it is the holiday season and life gets a little busy, I like to make things easier in several ways. I make the quinoa the night before, I buy pomegranate arils already seeded (but if you are feeling ambitious or have a kitchen helper, see my kitchen tip here on how to deseed a pomegranate), and I also buy a package of Honey-Roasted Sliced Almonds (you should be able to find these or a similar salad topping in the produce section of a grocery store). 

It is lovely, as I have just described, but the addition of avocado and Queso Fresco really takes it over the top by adding another layer of texture and flavor. Both are definitely optional, but they come highly recommended! Note: if you do use avocado, I like to keep it on the side for the holiday meal or if packed individually for weekday lunches to keep it from oxidizing.

Feel free to change the flavor profile by using a different type of nut, like roasted pistachio or candied walnut.  Can't find Queso Fresco? Feta would be a good substitute, or you can omit the cheese altogether (or serve it on the side) to make it vegan.  As I always say, "Make it for you; make it your own." Happy cooking!

6/27/2022

Quinoa Salad with Red Bell Pepper and Cilantro

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I want to start the summer season off with an absolutely delicious salad.  Recall the word 'salad'. The base of this salad is quinoa, the ancient grain or "mother of all grains".  I wrote about it before when sharing the recipe for Apricot-Curry Chicken Salad. This quinoa salad is flavored with red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, red onion, cilantro and a lovely cumin-lime dressing.  Can you taste it already??

The original recipe called for just half of each pepper, but I like my veggies, so I use the whole peppers (I included cup amounts in the recipe below).  Speaking of whole peppers, jalapeños can be as mild as a green pepper or as hot as blazes, so give the flesh a little taste first.  If you need more heat, use the seeds as well.  This is a delicious vegetarian salad on its own for lunch or dinner on those hot summer days/nights.  If you are looking to make it a bit more heartier, you can add black beans (drained and rinsed), diced avocado, charred/roasted corn and/or even mango for a tropical twist on the taste buds (you'll just have to adjust the seasoning if you do). If you are looking to serve it with a meat protein, it is a  welcome side dish to any grilled meat this time of year.I like to serve it with shrimp, chicken or Grilled Salmon with Lime Butter Sauce.  

As always, "Make it for you, make it your own!" Happy cooking!

11/11/2021

Chopped Salad with Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts

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Looking for something light, but hearty for lunch or dinner?  How about something to serve your vegetarian guests during the holidays? This salad will be your answer.  It is showstopper in color, texture and, most importantly, flavor.

The star of this salad is the butternut squash.; roasted until tender and lightly caramelized.  This squash is high in fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C.  And although is is heavy on the carb scale, it is low on the glycemic index,  making it an excellent addition to your daily nutrition.   It is also referred to as a vegan protein, but you would have to supplement with other lean proteins like...romaine!  Did you know that one head of romaine has 8 grams of protein and is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.  Yes,  even though it is not talked about much, romaine is considered a superfood.  The other supporting elements in this salad come from an apple (an apple a day...), goat cheese (I love a good cheese), and radicchio. 

Radicchio is kind of a hit or miss for some people because it does have a strong bitter taste.  However, you can weaken that taste in this salad by cutting it into smaller pieces and soaking it in water (you need to wash it anyways).  By cutting it into smaller pieces and soaking it, you create more surface area for the bitter taste to bleed out into the water. (You can also grill or roast radicchio to tame the bitterness, but I'll save that idea for another recipe post.)

Toss all of these lovely mind and body healthy ingredients together with a simple and scrumptious balsamic vinaigrette and you have...Wait, I almost forgot the HAZELNUTS!!  Ok, now you have a powerhouse of a salad!


Some of you might ask, "Can I substitute the goat cheese and hazelnuts with another cheese or nut?" I say, "Of course you can!" 

Here are some nut and cheese combinations that work for my taste buds-
Goat cheese w/ hazelnuts or pistachios
Blue cheese w/ pecans or walnuts
Feta cheese w/ almonds

As always- Make it for you, make it your own! Happy cooking!