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
Scale
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
