Quinoa Olive Salad Recipes

QUINOA SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, GOAT CHEESE AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Combine the vinegar, honey and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few times to incorporate.
• For the quinoa salad: Bring the salted water or vegetable stock to a boil and add the thyme. Stir in the quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Preheat the grill. Brush the asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on all sides until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the grill and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl, fold in the asparagus, olives, goat cheese, basil and parsley. Add just enough vinaigrette to moisten the salad; don't make it too wet. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with more of the vinaigrette.

QUINOA-OLIVE SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse 1 cup quinoa; toast in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, 4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat, cover and simmer 13 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil with 1 teaspoon each whole-grain mustard and red wine vinegar in a large bowl; add 4 thinly sliced celery stalks and 2 tablespoons each chopped red onion, kalamata olives and parsley. Season with salt. Add the quinoa; toss.

BEST GREEK QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring broth and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
• Mix tomatoes, parsley, kalamata olives, onion, feta cheese, olive oil, vinegar, and garlic into quinoa. Squeeze lemon juice over quinoa salad, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Chill in refrigerator, 1 to 4 hours.

EASY QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Combine chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, and parsley in a large bowl. Stir in cooled quinoa.
• Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, mint, salt, and pepper together in a separate small bowl. Pour over quinoa mixture; toss to combine.

QUINOA SALAD WITH AVOCADO AND KALAMATA OLIVES

Steps:

• Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse several times with cold water. Place in a medium saucepan with 1 1/4 cups water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 15 minutes, until the grains display a thread-like spiral and the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, remove the lid and place a dish towel over the pan, then return the lid to the pan and let sit for 10 minutes or longer undisturbed. Transfer to a salad bowl and fluff with forks. Allow to cool.
• Add the remaining salad ingredients except the salad greens to the bowl. Whisk together the dressing ingredients. If using yogurt, thin out if desired with a tablespoon of water.
• Just before serving toss the lettuces with 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Toss the quinoa mixture with the rest of the dressing. Line a salad bowl or platter with the greens, top with the quinoa, and serve. Or if preferred, toss together the greens and quinoa mixture before serving.

COSTCO QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water and drain.
• Bring 7 cups water to a boil in a 4 quart pot over high heat.
• Add 3/4 teaspoons salt; add quinoa, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally and adding more boiling water as needed to keep the quinoa covered, until tender (about 15 to 20 minutes).
• Drain and rinse the quinoa with cold water to stop the cooking.
• Transfer quinoa to a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss lightly to coat.
• Spread the quinoa on the baking sheet and cool completely at room temperature or in the fridge.
• Put vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl and gradually whisk in the 1/3 cup olive oil (vinaigrette).
• Whisk in lemon zest; taste; season with salt, pepper and additional vinegar and lemon juice or olive oil as needed.
• Place cooked and cooled quinoa in large serving bowl and toss to break up any clumps.
• Add tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, bell peppers, lentils, mung beans, parsley plus 1/2 cup vinaigrette and toss.
• Taste and season as needed with more vinaigrette, salt and pepper.
• Serve or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
• If making ahead, allow salad to sit at room temperature so it's not refrigerator-cold and season with more vinaigrette, salt and pepper before serving.