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If you're looking for something healthy, delicious and simple to prepare, whip up a batch of this Mango Quinoa Salad with Gremolata. You'll be eating well all week!
I've been snitchin'. Yup, at it again, up to the same old tricks. But please don't tell my husband, Mr. Herb Gardener. You see, I've been warned, as I am each and every Spring. "Let the poor herb plants get a chance to establish, before you raid and scalp them!" Oh dear, I'm in trouble once again .............. I had so much fun with my beautiful herbs!
It was looking like it would be a busy week again here at The Café. I decided to make a healthy, fresh quinoa salad that we could enjoy today (Sunday) with some pan-seared salmon but one that we could also have on hand for quick lunches, dinners on the run and portable meals for taking to work. This salad fit all those bills plus it's wonderfully delicious.
Don't worry if you don't have an herb garden. I used a bit of basil, oregano, chives, mint and thyme (I tried to just take a little from each one so he wouldn't be able to tell I was snitchin' but unfortunately, he's VERY observant). I also had a small bag of fresh cilantro* in the fridge and used some of that to make up the one cup of chopped fresh herbs needed for this yummy salad. You could use whatever type of herb combination you have available. Two of the small packs of herbs from the market would be perfect, along with some parsley and/or cilantro. Just use your favorite herbs.
Did you know that quinoa is a complete protein? How about that that it provides all of the amino acids, including lysine which is essential for growing and repairing body tissue. And did you know the the name actually means "mother grain" and was so named because this super high amount of amino acids and vitamins. One cup of quinoa provides 9 grams of protein and 7 grams of insoluble dietary fiber, which has all kinds of health benefits including the fact that it helps lower triglycerides and blood cholesterol levels. This helps your cardiovascular health and can assist in weight loss. The fiber in quinoa leaves you feeling full, while only containing 70 calories per 100gm serving size. I love that!
If you search "nutritional value of quinoa" you'll find that it hosts just a ton of other health benefits but there's another fact that was quite fascinating to me. Quinoa was originally discovered in South American and was seen by the Incas as a sacred food. They are the ones who dubbed it "the mother grain and they planted the first seeds of the season in religious ceremonies using golden tools. It's been said that depriving the people of quinoa was one of the ways the Spanish used to conquer the Incas! No quinoa, no protein, no energy! Wow, how interesting is that?
To me, another wonderful attribue of quinoa is that in a culinary sense, it's a blank canvas. You can add all types of flavorful ingredients to it which gives it a zillion different personalities. This time I wanted to make it light and fresh and used fresh herbs for a burst of flavor. Another favorite of ours is this Black Bean & Quina Salad w/ Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette, so good!
Quinoa Salad W/ Mango & Fresh Herb Gremolata
2 cups quinoa , uncooked
3 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, your best for drizzling
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
1 large or two medium, mangoes, peeled and finely diced.
1 small red onion, finely diced
6 green (spring) onions, finely sliced
1 medium jalapeno, finely chopped, seeds removed
zest of 1 lemon, finely zested
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup finely chopped fresh herbs, I used cilantro, basil, oregano, chives, mint and thyme
2 cups tiny frozen peas, thawed but not cooked
Instructions:
1. 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. Rinse and dry bowl for later use.
2. Heat a medium-large pan over medium heat for several minutes. Add quinoa and toast, stirring constantly, until all liquid is removed and you begin to smell a nutty aroma, about two minutes. Transfer to dry bowl.
3. Rinse pot and bring 3 cups of broth to a rolling boil. Add toasted quinoa and 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 30 minutes to cool while preparing rest of ingredients, then fluff with a fork.
4. Place chopped mango on several thicknesses of paper towel to drain off any excess liquid.
5. For gremolata, combine chopped herbs, minced garlic, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until well combined.
6. Place quinoa in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over quinoa, add sea salt and stir to combine. Taste and add a bit more salt and pepper, if needed. Add gremolata along with remaining ingredients and stir again. Taste and add more seasoning, if needed. Serve at room temperature. Garnish with more fresh herbs. If serving individual portions, I like to garnish the top to look like a little herb garden. 🙂
Notes:
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This is truly a vibrant dish, Chris! The colours, the flavours, the health benefits - it's a kaleidoscope of tastiness!
This looks beautiful, Chris! I make a quinoa salad with mango and it is always a huge hit. I bet your herb version is spectacular.
I am trying to stay out of my herbs! I just planted them on Sunday, but there are basil leaves I just want to pick and use! Great salad, love quinoa!
You share the most inspiring and delicious salad ideas. I always love your combination and wish I had some ready for lunch when I read your posts. Thanks for reminding me I need more quinoa in my life;)
I have all those herbs in my garden Chris! Really need to experiment with quinoa again. I like eating it but it never seems to be very good when I make it. I had the most delicious quinoa risotto in South America. They have perfected cooking with it after all those years!
Quinoa makes such a delicious salad. I would be "snitching" too. I simply couldn't wait!!
Lovely salad chris! Looks light and flavorful!!!
Lovely salad chris! Looks light and flavorful!!!
Your presentation is fantastic! Hope you had a peaceful and fun Mother's Day.
Lovely salad Chris-Pinned!!!
I have quinoa and fresh herbs in my garden so bring on the mango, onions, peas and jalapeño ~ I will be good to go for this most delicious mouth watering salad;-)
What a lovely vibrant looking salad -
Mary x
I know quinoa is super healthy but I just can't get into it. I think it's a texture thing. 🙁
But I love how creative this is. You're really great at this salad thing!
Chris: What a fresh and beautiful dish...It is like to have a garden in a plate. I absolutely love this!!!
I am a little quinoa nut..and I find it is so pretty.. Do you have the QUINOA cookbook? It's really nice.. a friend gave it to me..
Happy Belated Mother's Day, Chris. This salad is so colorful and bright--love it!
So Spring looking, love the colors and flavors of this dish Chris.
Nothing I'd like better than being your soul sister 🙂 I'll share my caramel and you share your quinoa, OK? I think it's a deal. Once I finish the avocado salad in my fridge, it's time for yours!
Wow! What a gorgeous, wholesome summer salad!
Healthy and pretty, that makes me smile. I love to have something like this in the frig for family that stop by and are hungry. This ticks all the boxes.
Happy belated Mother's Day.
I have never actually had quinoa, but I am all about this salad! Leave the herbs be for a bit 🙂
Sooooooo loving this salad! What fresh flavors. You are making me want to eat lunch but it is only 11am my time. Smile.
What a wonderful looking salad, I love all the fresh herbs. I have a problem with snitching too...lol!
Yum! Quinoa is one of the few small grains I enjoy, especially when in in salad with fresh vegetables and herbs. This looks fantastic.
Be careful with those herbs. I've been doing the same thing and now my basil's looking droopy. I think I shocked it a little too much. I may be headed to the store for another batch. 🙁
This quinoa salad looks scrumptious! (Thanks for all the quinoa information too!) 😀
I love a good Quinoa salad and could kick myself for not making it more often. This sounds great with all your fresh (young) herbs and the mango - yum! Hope you enjoyed your mother's day!
I love making quinoa salads for leftover lunches.
I love quinoa and since I am a vegetarian I highly appreciate it!Your salad is so fresh and lovely!
Hugs,dear Chris!
We eat lots of quinoa and this is one lovely spring salad.
I got your e-mail late today! Hmmm? Anyway I wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!!! I love the quinoa salad!!
Chris, what a fresh, healthy and delightful looking Quinoa Salad. I like that you paired fresh mangos with peas and herbs in this recipe, the list of ingredients sounds so harmonious and delicious!
Hope you had a wonderful Mother´s Day weekend!
I had no idea about quinoa's protein!! Thus is too pretty to eat, but would be a better super food dish than Popeye's spinach.
splendid looking! it's a shame that i still hvnt tried quinoa and there's really no excuse for not trying it! Happy mother's day to you, chris!
this look amazing Chris!!
Hope you had a nice and happy mother's day!
This is my kind of salad. Happy Mother's Day, Chris.
Fondly,
Glenda
Sure looks pretty! I'm probably the last person that still haven't tried this grain, maybe one day soon. Happy Mother's Day Chris:@)
Happy Mother's Day, Chris. What a gift you have given us in this fantastic recipe. I can taste it now!!!
I love the mango in your salad! Happy Mother's Day, Chris! 🙂
What a beautiful, beautiful salad. Love at first sight. <3