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I was craving fresh and healthy today after indulging in the Double-Glazed Lemon Poppyseed Tea Cake. Thought you might be too, so I put together this Lemon Quinoa Salad. We had it for lunch yesterday and loved it. I'm happy that there's another meal stashed away in the fridge. I'm thinking of serving it with some grilled chicken for dinner. It's so easy to throw together, can be made in advance*, making it perfect for a quick weekday lunches.
Super healthy quinoa (known as a super grain and one of the healthiest foods on the planet) is combined with a lemony vinaigrette, baby spinach, fresh basil, oregano and mint, crumbled Feta, and topped with a shower of toasted buttered almonds. I like to scatter it with some tiny fresh herb leaves; a lovely sight and delightful taste treat!
The technique for preparing the quinoa is a bit different that most as it calls for rinsing and then toasting the grain before it's cooked. I look this way of preparing it as it yields a fluffy, non-soggy finished product. We thought we didn't like quinoa until I discovered this method. Now we LOVE it!
A Lemon Quinoa Salad would be perfect for a Spring brunch. lunch or get together of any kind. Just be sure to make plenty; it will go disappear right before your eyes. Oh, and make some copies of the recipe. You'll be sure to get requests!
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Lemon Quinoa Salad with Fresh Herbs and Feta
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa, uncooked
- 3 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoons butter
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon, finely zested
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup crumbled Feta
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cover quinoa with cold water and swish with your hand for 30 seconds. Drain in a fine strainer and allow to drain for 15-20 minutes, gently shaking strainer every 5 minutes to remove as much water as possible.
- Place chicken stock in a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave until boiling, about 3-4 minutes.
- Heat a medium-large pan over medium heat for several minutes. Add drained quinoa and toast, stirring constantly, until all liquid is removed and you begin to smell a nutty aroma, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add hot chicken broth to quinoa and bring to a boil. Cover, leaving lid slightly vented to allow steam to escape. Reduce heat to low (maintain just a slight simmer) and cook for 14-16 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to sit, uncovered for 10 minutes while preparing rest of ingredients, then fluff with a fork.
- While quinoa is resting, add butter and olive oil to a small sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted and bubbly, then add almonds and a pinch of salt. Stir gently but frequently for 2-3 minutes or until almonds begin to turn golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle in olive oil whisking with a fork or small whisk. Set aside.
- Place baby spinach in the bottom of a large bowl. Add hot quinoa and allow to sit for 3-4 minutes to wilt spinach.
- Add fresh herbs and Feta, then drizzle with olive oil mixture Stir gently to combine. Taste and add a bit more salt and pepper, if needed. Top with toasted almonds and garnish with small herb leaves, if desired.
Notes
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I made this for our family Thanksgiving gathering. It was a huge hit and when I sent the group text saying I was bringing it again for Christmas, I could almost feel my sis n law leaping through the phone to hug me she was so excited I was bring it again! She let me know she had taken some home for thanksgiving and ate it for dinner and breakfast the next morning and was sad when it was gone!! Maybe I should make her a container just for her and put it in her stocking 😂. We all love that it is so fresh, so flavorful, healthy and delicious!!! Thank you, Chris!! Merry Christmas!!!!
We love hearing that, Emily! Thanks for the kind review!
Although the flavors in this recipe shine in the summer, this recipe made a lovely dinner in the winter too! This will go in my repeat recipe list since it's delicious, refreshing, and healthy. When I made it, I used pine nuts rather than slivered almonds. I also wilted all the spinach to mix it into the salad and added cooked chicken breasts. Thank you for another great recipe!
We're delighted you enjoyed it Geralyn! It's always an honor to be on a "repeat recipe" list!
Very tasty! I made it vegan by omitting the feta and adding kalamata olives.
That's awesome!!
Love the classic flavor combo mixed with this quinoa!
My son raves about quinoa and I'm going to have to try this recipe.
Chis, first let me say I am a relatively new follower of your blog. It is lovely - great photos - and I have yet to try a recipe I didn't love. Thank you for sharing your food and life with us.
Now - you said this salad could be made in advance. Does this mean it is great for family left overs OR you can make it the day before your ladies luncheon and it will be fabulous?
Cathy
Hi Cathy, so nice to meet you! Thanks for you kind words. As far as the quinoa salad, if can definitely be made in advance. In fact Scott and I just enjoyed it 3 days later with some chicken sausage for lunch. f you want to to be really beautiful for company, I would make it all in advance but add the fresh herbs just before serving. Thanks for a great question. I"ll add this response to the post.
What a stunning salad and so healthy too. This would be perfect for lunch any day of the week or when the girls come over.
Sam
After some over indulging over a Spring Break trip, I so need to start eating salads like this for lunch. Maybe I can whip one up tomorrow. Love the flavors in this one, Chris!
Beautiful salad, I love the fresh herbs and feta!
It looks light, healthy, and delicious!
Definitly, this is the salad for me! I have EVERYTHING on hand to prepare it, yeah!!!!!
What a stunning salad and SO perfect to ring in Spring! This is a must make. Lovely photos Chris!!
Love this type of salad Chris..Thanks!
We are craving Spring and summer flavours, this recipes satisfies all of our cravings.
I just love quinoa…your salad looks and sounds so delicious and healthy! Happy Weekend, Chris!
Chris, you must have been channeling Susan Lester's and my conversation last week-end. We were talking about the great salads you create and how we try many of them. Then, of course, I had to bring up the Pork Tenderloin and French Lentils! And while I wasn't thinking about craving anything fresh and healthy (I was still craving the tea cake), this looks delicious. I suspect the quinoa method is the one you have suggested in the past. I always use that when preparing quinoa for anything. Perhaps,. just perhaps, the candied almonds you've used as a salad topping in the past would be great with this. I am always looking for an excuse to make those. Happy Springtime, my dear. Keep the posts coming. Thanks for being so generous and gracious about my new design.
First toasted then cooked in broth...no wonder the quinoa tastes GREAT! The salad looks super, Chris.
I feel healthier just looking at this salad!
Chris, this looks amazing! I love how simple the flavors are! This would make such a wonderful side dish or topped on my weekday salads!!
Beautiful spring lemon salad for brunch or lunch, Chris! Really like the toasted quinoa. And, I'm loving your styling and photography lately. So inspiring. Just beautiful, Scott! Wishing you both a lovely Sunday. Pinning to shard boards at Pinterest!
I can't wait to try the toasted quinoa method. I can only imagine how good the toasting will make it. This salad is really lovely.
How much feta? Seems that 1/2 cup would be good.
Hi Louise, the recipe uses a cup as there's a decent amount of quinoa but you could definitely use less to your taste - thanks!
I still have to try quinoa, your salad sounds tasty! Happy Spring:@)
Delicious and sooo healthy!