Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad

I’ve talked a lot on this blog about my hate/love relationship with salad. I eat it for my health but I usually find it flavorless, dull and unsatisfying. So I always try to come up with ways to make it more palatable to me, or even something I (gasp) enjoy. Well my friends, this week I actually made it to salad enjoyment status with this incredible summer fresh quinoa salad. It was really simple to make too!

First, I cooked my quinoa in vegetable stock just to give it that extra layer of flavor. When it was done, I fluffed it up with a fork. It was so tender and is it weird that I love those little tendrils that pop out when it is cooked??
While the quinoa cooked, I roasted a lovely, diced up zucchini and cherry tomatoes to really bring out their flavor. I tossed them simply in olive oil with salt, pepper and garlic powder. The zucchini became perfectly tender in 15 minutes without turning to mush.
Once the quinoa cooked and the veggies roasted I just tossed everything together. I also added in lots of baby spinach, sliced almonds and basil. It had all of the best of summer going on!

I just dressed the salad with my favorite store bought avocado cilantro dressing with a yogurt base. It gave it fantastic creamy texture. Use your own favorite dressing though, this salad works with any dressing! Oh my goodness, the quinoa and almonds really gave this summery salad substance while still keeping it light. The roasted veggies had so much flavor. I hope you all love it as much as I did! xoxo

Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
5 from 2 votes
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

This is such a satisfying and wonderful summer fresh quinoa salad filled with cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini and basil! 

Course: Appetizer
Keyword: Quinoa Salad, Salad, Vegetables
Servings: 6
Calories: 152 kcal
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 10.5 ounces cherry tomatoes about a pint, halved
  • 1 whole zucchini diced small
  • 1 dash olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 1 pinch garlic powder
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 6 leaves fresh basil roughly chopped
  • salad dressing your favorite kind to taste
Instructions
  1. First, pre-heat the oven to 350. Then get a small pot on the stove and bring the stock to a low boil in it. Pour in the quinoa and give it a stir, then cover the pot and turn the heat to low. Let the quinoa cook until tender for about 10-12 minutes. The little tendrils should pop out and the liquid all cooked off. While the quinoa cooks, transfer the halved cherry tomatoes and diced zucchini into a baking dish. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder and toss everything well to coat the veggies. Get the baking dish into the hot oven to roast the veggies for about 15 minutes. The zucchini should get tender but not be turned to mush. 

  2. Take the cooked quinoa and fluff it up with a fork when it is done. Then transfer it to a large bowl and toss it thoroughly with the roasted zucchini and tomatoes, the spinach, almonds and basil. Dress it with your favorite salad dressing (I found a wonderful avocado cilantro yogurt based one) and serve immediately warm or at room temperature! It also is fantastic chilled. 

Nutrition Facts
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 bowl)
Calories 152 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 1.1g7%
Sodium 282mg12%
Potassium 456mg13%
Carbohydrates 23.3g8%
Fiber 3.7g15%
Sugar 2.8g3%
Protein 6.2g12%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad
Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad

 

12 thoughts on “Summer Fresh Quinoa Salad”

  1. I have that same love-hate relationship with salad. And actually with quinoa, too. So this recipe really speaks to me. Can’t wait to try it!

  2. I am all about the roasted tomato and zucchini. I roast carrots too and I love the color! I’m not a big fan of quinoa, but I’m willing to try anything once. I love how your blog is dedicated to your grandmas what a gift!

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