Apple Quinoa Salad with Sweet Tahini Dressing Recipe
Introduction
This Apple Quinoa Salad with Sweet Tahini Dressing is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines the earthy texture of quinoa with the crispness of fresh apples and grapes. The sweet tahini dressing adds a creamy, slightly tangy finish, making it perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Granny Smith Apple
- 1 Red Apple
- 1 1/2 cups Grapes
- 1 stalk Celery
- 1/4 cup Raisins
- 10 Almonds
- 3 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/3 cup Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve. In a medium pot, combine the quinoa and water, then bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Step 2: While the quinoa cooks, prepare the dressing by mixing tahini, a splash of water, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Stir well and adjust the consistency with additional water or tahini as needed until it can be drizzled easily. Set aside.
- Step 3: Core and dice both the red apple and Granny Smith apple. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the diced apples and toss gently to prevent browning.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, diced apples, grapes, chopped celery, raisins, almonds, fresh mint leaves, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly and taste, adding more cinnamon if desired.
- Step 5: Serve the salad in bowls or plates, drizzling each portion generously with the sweet tahini dressing.
Tips & Variations
- To add a bit of crunch, try substituting almonds with walnuts or pecans.
- If you prefer a citrus twist, swap lemon juice with lime juice.
- For extra protein, add cooked chickpeas or grilled chicken on top.
- Mint can be replaced with fresh basil for a different herbal note.
Storage
Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toss gently before serving. Reheat is not necessary, as this salad is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of quinoa for this salad?
Yes, you can use white, red, or tri-color quinoa depending on your preference. Cooking times may vary slightly based on the type.
Is it possible to make this salad vegan and gluten-free?
Absolutely. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly, using plant-based ingredients and no gluten-containing grains.
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Apple Quinoa Salad with Sweet Tahini Dressing Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and nutritious Apple Quinoa Salad featuring a blend of crunchy apples, sweet grapes, and nuts, all tossed with fluffy quinoa and topped with a luscious sweet tahini dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or a wholesome side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Granny Smith Apple
- 1 Red Apple
- 1 1/2 cups Grapes
- 1 stalk Celery
- 1/4 cup Raisins
- 10 Almonds
- 3 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Sweet Tahini Dressing
- 1/3 cup Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water (as needed to adjust dressing consistency)
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine mesh sieve under cold water to remove its natural coating, saponin. In a medium-sized pot, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
- Prepare Dressing: While the quinoa cooks, whisk together 1/3 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add a small splash of water and continue mixing to smooth the dressing, adjusting with more water a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency. To thicken, add more tahini as needed. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare Fruit and Veggies: Core and dice both the red apple and Granny Smith apple into bite-sized pieces. Juice the lemon and pour it over the diced apples, tossing gently to prevent browning and add bright flavor.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, lemon-dressed apples, 1 1/2 cups grapes (halved if large), 1 chopped stalk of celery, 1/4 cup raisins, 10 chopped almonds, 3 fresh mint leaves (chopped), and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly and taste to adjust cinnamon or other flavors if desired.
- Serve: Spoon the salad into serving dishes and drizzle generously with the prepared sweet tahini dressing. Serve immediately or chill briefly before serving for a cooler salad.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove bitterness from the natural coating.
- Add lemon juice to apples promptly to prevent browning.
- Adjust dressing consistency with water or tahini to your preference.
- Salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- For added protein, consider tossing in cooked chickpeas or grilled chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Healthy, Fusion
Keywords: Apple quinoa salad, sweet tahini dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian quinoa recipe, fruit and nut salad, light lunch, easy quinoa salad
