Apricot Spinach Salad Recipes

MOROCCAN-SPICED LEMON DRESSING AND QUINOA-APRICOT -SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• TO PREPARE THE DRESSING:.
• Whisk lemon juice, yogurt, honey, cumin, cinnamon and ginger in a small bowl until blended.
• Slowly whisk in oil so that the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• TO PREPARE THE SALAD:.
• Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Add apricots and the quinoa; continue cooking, stirring often, until the quinoa has dried out and turned light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add water and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and toss with 1/3 cup of the Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Just before serving, add tomatoes and onion to the quinoa; toss to coat. Toss spinach with the remaining 1/3 cup dressing in a large bowl. Divide the spinach among 4 plates. Mound the quinoa salad on the spinach and sprinkle with almonds.
• SERVING SIZE = 2 cups spinach with approximately 1 cup quinoa mixture.
• MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate the quinoa and dressing separately for up to 2 days.
• INGREDIENT NOTE: Quinoa is available in most natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Toasting this grain before simmering enhances its flavor.
• TO TOAST NUTS: Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

SPINACH AND QUINOA SALAD WITH DRIED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the quinoa and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the broth. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, covered, for 15 to 18 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed.
• Spread the cooked quinoa out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool. In a small bowl or container, combine the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
• In a large serving bowl, mix together the spinach, apricots, onion and parsley if using and toss with the dressing. Lightly toss in the cooled quinoa. Sprinkle with the cheese and serve.

SPINACH SALAD WITH APRICOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette: Add all the vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl; whisk until well blended; set aside.
• To make salad: Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl; toss to mix.
• Drizzle Apricot Vinaigrette over salad; toss to coat.
• Season to taste with salt/pepper if needed.