Quinoa-Apple Salad

Dib's's Note:

Here's a great healthy grain salad!

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 large red delicious apple
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• salt
• butter lettuce leaf

Directions:

1. Pour the quinoa into a fine strainer and rinse it well under cold water.
2. In a 2 quart saucepan combine the quinoa and 2 cups of water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and cover, simmering for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat.
5. In a wide shallow bowl combine vinegar, apple juice concentrate, allspice, pepper and garlic.
6. Add the quinoa and stir occasionally until cooled, around 10 minutes.
7. Core the apple and chop it into 1/4 inch cubes.
8. Mix the apple, carrot, onion and mint with the quinoa mixture.
9. Line a serving platter with the lettuce and mount the quinoa salad on top.

Reviews

[Chef #48136]

This was quite tasty -- I enjoyed it. Fresh and summery. When I make this again the only thing I'll do differently will be to reduce the vinegar (I found it a bit too tangy for my taste). Thanks for a good quinoa recipe!

[FloridaNative]

This was very good ~ I was a bit skeptical at first, but the flavors are excellent. I used red quinoa, and had to use regular apple juice as I had no concentrate. I did add a bit of salt as suggested. I definitely like this well chilled. Thanks DiB's for a great new quinoa recipe. Made for ZAAR COOKBOOK TAG, February 2010!

[Scout33]

I have enjoyed this thoroughly. I too reduced the vinegar and it was quite tangy enough- although it did tone down in the refrigerator ater a bit- this "rest" also helped mellow the garlic. I had some jicama that needed to be used, so I slivered it and tossed it in and it was another sweet/crispy addition. Don't forget to add a sprinkle of salt- it really made all the flavors pop. Delicious.