Gluten Free Cranberry Almond Quinoa Salad Food

GLUTEN-FREE CRANBERRY-ALMOND QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the salad: Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Place the cranberries in a small bowl. Ladle out 1/2 cup of the boiling water over the cranberries to rehydrate. Pour the quinoa into the pot with the remaining boiling water, cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the quinoa absorbs the water, 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Drain the cranberries and scatter them over the quinoa. Add the scallions, almonds and vinaigrette, and fold into the salad until evenly distributed. Add the mint and serve, or chill overnight if desired.

GLUTEN FREE QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• First rinse and drain the Quinoa till the water runs clear to prevent a bitter taste in the finished product.
• Place the Quinoa in a medium sauce pot with the 2 cups or chicken stock, water or vegetable stock can be uses as well to make this vegetarian.
• Bring the Quinoa to a boil and then reduce to a simmer with the lid on.
• Simmer for around 20 minutes until the Quinoa germ is visible, The grain will be slightly chewy but not overly so. Time could vary depending on your stove and your brand of Quinoa some take less time while others take more. The water will be mostly if not completely absorbed when the Quinoa is done.
• Set the Quinoa aside when it's done to let it cool. Seed and then chop the cucumber and chop some tomato as well to garnish.
• Once the Quinoa is cooled add the cucumber as well as the olive oil. Use a zester to zest the lemon and then juice the lemon. Depending on the size of the lemon you may only need half the lemon.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste and mix the Quinoa together. Serve chilled with a garnish of tomato.
• It's not listed in the recipe but you may toast some pine nuts and add them as well. I omit them from this recipe because I'm allergic but my mother likes them in it.

CRANBERRY ALMOND QUINOA (OR COUSCOUS) SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the quinoa with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and continue cooking until all water is absorbed. (If using couscous, simply prepare according to directions on package.).
• In a medium bowl, combine cooked quinoa (or couscous), dried berries, green beans, nuts, and green onions until well mixed.
• In a small bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic until well blended. Pour over the quinoa/couscous mixture. Toss until well blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the quinoa with cold water and strain. In a pot, add the quinoa, water and salt. Bring to a boil and turn the heat down to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or till the liquid is absorbed. When done, fluff with a fork and then lay out in a thin layer on a baking sheet to cool.
• While the quinoa is cooking, reduce the orange juice to half by simmering is a non-reactive sauce pan for approximately 10 minutes. Set in the freezer for 5 mintues to cool. Once cooled, whisk in olive oil to make a vinaigrette.
• In a large bowl, combine the cranberries, raisins, nuts, orange slices and cooked quinoa. Pour vinaigrette over the mixure and stir together. If desired, add fresh chopped mint. Serve cold. Great with a side of whole grain toast or leafy greens -- or by itself. Makes approx 8 servings.

APRICOT ALMOND QUINOA

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa under cold running water, drain. In sauce pan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil, stir in quinoa. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is transparent: drain. In non-stick pan, stir fry zucchini till tender. In large bowl, combine quinoa, zucchini, and all other ingredients. Serve hot or cold. Can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.