This QuinoaAppleSalad focuses on good-for-you ingredients: spinach, quinoa, apples, pears, pistachios, and dried cranberries. The salad is tossed in a simple lemon-poppy seed vinaigrette.
1/2cup (70g)shelled, roasted, and salted pistachios
1/3cup (45g)dried cranberries
Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
4tablespoons (51g)freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4teaspoonlemon zest
1/4teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoonDijon mustard(do not use regular mustard)
1/4teaspoonfine sea salt
3tablespoonswhite sugar(See Note 1)
1/3cup (64g)olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2tablespoonpoppy seeds
Instructions
QUINOA: Prepare the quinoa by rinsing it under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve. This removes the bitter saponin coating. Combine the quinoa and water (or broth) in a small pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, add in a heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt (or salt to taste), reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, keep the quinoa covered, and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and then add 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared dressing (see next step). Toss and refrigerate to chill until at room temperature.
DRESSING: While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing. Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and sugar in a small blender or food processor. Blend or pulse until completely smooth. Slowly pour in the oil and blend just until emulsified. Do not overblend. Stir in the poppy seeds, transfer to a jar with a lid, and chill in the fridge while preparing the other components of the salad. Re-shake to combine before dressing the salad.
SPINACH: Remove large stems and then coarsely chop the spinach (just a few coarse cuts through all the spinach). Add to a large bowl and toss with the room-temperature quinoa.
FRUIT: Chop or thinly slice the apple and pear. Toss both fruits with lemon juice to keep from browning too quickly. Add to the spinach and quinoa.
FINISHINGSALAD: Sprinkle the pistachios and dried cranberries into the salad. Drizzle with dressing (add to preference; store any leftover dressing in the fridge for up to 1 week). Gently toss to combine and enjoy.
STORAGE: This salad doesn't sit well with the dressing, so only dress what will be enjoyed the same day. Store any leftover salad and dressing separately. Apples and pears will brown if cut in advance.
Notes
Note 1: Sweetener: Add sugar gradually and to taste preference. We prefer the dressing on the sweeter side to complement the savoriness of the quinoa and spinach.