Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Spring Quinoa Salad anyone? Is it fair to call it spring when things like freak hail storms at 40 degree mornings are still hanging around?

I guess, because in fairness the cherry tree blossoms have come and gone and the daffodils are still showing their sunny little faces in the garden- but there is no end to the chill- that’s for sure.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

But I am feeling sunny inside! The beginning of my book tour has kind of officially started this week here in Seattle, and I am just weeks away from hitting the road to meet all of you (I can’t wait!!!) So I will be sure to update my book tour calendar VERY SOON so you know when and where I will be, and what kind of fun stuff I have in store for you!

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

I am very, VERY excited about this Thursday night. If you are anywhere in the Seattle area, come on downtown to 1000 Spirits for GIRLS NIGHT OUT!! and hang out with me, my mom, my sister, my sister in laws, my mother in law, my aunts and all my girlfriends (you get the idea!!!) You can witness the insanity of my friends and family first hand and have fun drinks and complimentary appetizers. My book will be available for purchase before it is in stores and I can sign it just for you! I seriously can’t wait to meet you!

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

In the mean time, I have whipped up a big old batch of this Spring Quinoa Salad. It is healthy and light and I can grab a bowl out of the refrigerator any time I need a quick pick me up in this busy week. I like to add a gorgeous poached egg to the top for extra protein and because I love the creaminess of the runny yoke on the quinoa.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta
Enjoy this cold or at room temperature- it is great for making ahead of time and serving to a crowd.

To make this Spring Quinoa Salad, this is what you do:

Bring the water to a boil and whisk in the quinoa. Put a lid on the pot and cook the quinoa over low heat for 12 minutes. Let the quinoa steam for another 15 minutes and then fork fluff it.

Bring a small pan of water to a boil and prepare vegetables and a bowl of ice water.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Cook the asparagus and the peas for 30 seconds and then blanch in the ice water.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Drain the vegetables and mix them in with the quinoa, mint and green onions.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Whisk together the garlic, olive oil and vinegar and pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Top with crumbled feta cheese and if you want top each with a poached egg.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Recipe: Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Ingredients

  • -3 cups quinoa
  • -6 cups water
  • -1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into ¼” pieces, and tips.
  • -10 ounces fresh peas
  • -1 cup fresh mint, julienned
  • -1/3 cup green onion, thinly sliced
  • Dressing:
  • -2 cloves garlic, minced
  • -½ cup olive oil
  • -½ cup red wine vinegar
  • -kosher salt and black pepper
  • -4 ounces feta

Instructions

  1. 1. Bring the water to a boil and whisk in the quinoa. Put a lid on the pot and cook the quinoa over low heat for 12 minutes. Let the quinoa steam for another 15 minutes and then fork fluff it.
  2. 2. Bring a small pan of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water.
  3. 3. Cook the asparagus and the peas for 30 seconds and then blanch in the ice water.
  4. 4. Drain the vegetables and mix them in with the quinoa, mint and green onions.
  5. 5. Whisk together the garlic, olive oil and vinegar and pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
  6. 6. Top with crumbled feta cheese.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

 

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Categorized: Recipe Index, Salad
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Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Spring Quinoa Salad anyone? Is it fair to call it spring when things like freak hail storms at 40 degree mornings are still hanging around?

I guess, because in fairness the cherry tree blossoms have come and gone and the daffodils are still showing their sunny little faces in the garden- but there is no end to the chill- that’s for sure.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

But I am feeling sunny inside! The beginning of my book tour has kind of officially started this week here in Seattle, and I am just weeks away from hitting the road to meet all of you (I can’t wait!!!) So I will be sure to update my book tour calendar VERY SOON so you know when and where I will be, and what kind of fun stuff I have in store for you!

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

I am very, VERY excited about this Thursday night. If you are anywhere in the Seattle area, come on downtown to 1000 Spirits for GIRLS NIGHT OUT!! and hang out with me, my mom, my sister, my sister in laws, my mother in law, my aunts and all my girlfriends (you get the idea!!!) You can witness the insanity of my friends and family first hand and have fun drinks and complimentary appetizers. My book will be available for purchase before it is in stores and I can sign it just for you! I seriously can’t wait to meet you!

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

In the mean time, I have whipped up a big old batch of this Spring Quinoa Salad. It is healthy and light and I can grab a bowl out of the refrigerator any time I need a quick pick me up in this busy week. I like to add a gorgeous poached egg to the top for extra protein and because I love the creaminess of the runny yoke on the quinoa.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta
Enjoy this cold or at room temperature- it is great for making ahead of time and serving to a crowd.

To make this Spring Quinoa Salad, this is what you do:

Bring the water to a boil and whisk in the quinoa. Put a lid on the pot and cook the quinoa over low heat for 12 minutes. Let the quinoa steam for another 15 minutes and then fork fluff it.

Bring a small pan of water to a boil and prepare vegetables and a bowl of ice water.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Cook the asparagus and the peas for 30 seconds and then blanch in the ice water.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Drain the vegetables and mix them in with the quinoa, mint and green onions.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Whisk together the garlic, olive oil and vinegar and pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Top with crumbled feta cheese and if you want top each with a poached egg.

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Recipe: Spring Quinoa Salad with Feta

Ingredients

  • -3 cups quinoa
  • -6 cups water
  • -1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into ¼” pieces, and tips.
  • -10 ounces fresh peas
  • -1 cup fresh mint, julienned
  • -1/3 cup green onion, thinly sliced
  • Dressing:
  • -2 cloves garlic, minced
  • -½ cup olive oil
  • -½ cup red wine vinegar
  • -kosher salt and black pepper
  • -4 ounces feta

Instructions

  1. 1. Bring the water to a boil and whisk in the quinoa. Put a lid on the pot and cook the quinoa over low heat for 12 minutes. Let the quinoa steam for another 15 minutes and then fork fluff it.
  2. 2. Bring a small pan of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water.
  3. 3. Cook the asparagus and the peas for 30 seconds and then blanch in the ice water.
  4. 4. Drain the vegetables and mix them in with the quinoa, mint and green onions.
  5. 5. Whisk together the garlic, olive oil and vinegar and pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
  6. 6. Top with crumbled feta cheese.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

 

Recipe by Heather Christo (http://heatherchristo.com)