Quinoa Beet Salad Food

QUINOA, BEET, AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover pan and bring the water to a boil. Add beets, cover pan, and steam until just tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Bring quinoa and 2 cups water a saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• While the quinoa is cooking, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl.
• Remove quinoa from heat, then immediately add half of the vinegar dressing while fluffing the quinoa with a fork; reserve remaining dressing. Cover and refrigerate quinoa until cool, at least 1 hour.
• Stir green onions, arugula, goat cheese, beets, and remaining dressing into cooled quinoa mixture. Toss lightly before serving.

QUINOA AND BEET PILAF

Steps:

• Scrub and roast the beets. Once they are cooled, remove the skins and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Set aside.
• Blanch the greens in a large pot of generously salted water or steam them above an inch of boiling water until wilted, one to two minutes. Refresh with cold water, squeeze dry and chop.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the caraway, beet greens, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir over medium heat for 30 seconds to a minute until the greens are nicely infused with the garlic and oil. Add the beets and quinoa. Toss together until the ingredients are well combined and the quinoa is heated through and colored with beet juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Transfer to a wide serving bowl or platter, and sprinkle the goat cheese over the top. Serve hot.

QUINOA, GOLDEN BEET, AND ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wrap the beets in a loose aluminum-foil package, sealing the package tightly. Bake until the beets are tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, peel the beets and cut into 3/4-inch dice.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the quinoa and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and spread on a sheet pan to cool.
• Cut a slice off both ends of each orange so they will stand upright. Stand each orange on a work surface and, using a sharp knife, remove all the peel and membrane by slicing from top to bottom all the way around the orange, following the contour of the fruit. Cut the oranges into 3/4-inch cubes.
• Put the cooled quinoa in a large bowl. Add the beets, oranges, scallions, and walnuts.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and honey. Gradually whisk in the oils. Season with salt and pepper. Add to the salad and toss to coat. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve.