It’s been a pretty inconsistent climate in my part of the world. We wake up to a crisp, slightly chill morning followed by a very warm afternoon and then, a pleasant evening. While some days we reach out for a hearty, steaming bowl of soup, on other days, we prefer a light salad. In one way, it’s adding a variety in our life. The air still doesn’t scream autumn but it sure is prepping me to think of stew, roast chicken, baked bread, baked pie and bid goodbye to salad for a while.
Being the summer girl that I am, I find it very difficult to let go the sunshine, let go the warm clear sky, the long days and summer fruits. But I am gearing up, getting ready for the change, for apple and pears, and to fill the home with fall flavors.
Until then, stay with me on this salad, which is definitely light but can very well be served on a cold winter evening. Mix the dressing while the quinoa is still warm and pair it with toasted, crusty bread. Comforting.
Quinoa is still not a favorite ingredient in my home and we are taking time to make it a part of our regular diet. It took a very long time for me to start cooking with this very healthy grain like crop that is filled with protein, fiber and iron. I was intimidated by it and I failed a couple of times. And then slowly the concept started settling down making me realize that it’s one of those ingredients which is versatile, like rice, and can be prepared in various ways. Sweet or Savory!
My favorite part of the salad, beside the fact how colorful it looks, is the creamy dressing. Ricotta mixed with mint, garam masala and fresh lime juice for the tang. At the end, pour some extra virgin olive oil slowly while beating vigorously to emulsify the two components to a perfect creamy dressing. It is currently my favorite salad dressing, where at times ricotta can be replaced with yogurt and garam masala can be replaced with some other spice like cumin or coriander powder.
Both the salad and the dressing can be made couple of days in advance and served cold or at room temperature.
Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 2 cups of ricotta cheese (which can be replaced with plain yogurt)
- ½ cup finely chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon garam masala powder
- zest and juice of 1 lime
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot (very finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon chilly powder
- salt
- freshly cracked pepper
For the salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1-¼ cup water
- handful of cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- handful of red grapes (cut in half)
- 1 medium size cucumber (cut into bite size)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (or any other dried fruit you prefer)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
For the dressing
- In a mixing bowl, whisk everything except extra virgin olive oil.
- Next, pour the extra virgin olive oil from top and whisk again until it creamy and smooth.
- Taste for salt and add if required.
How to cook quinoa
- Rinse the quinoa with cold water for a couple of times and then soak it in the cold water for 5 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the water.
- Mix quinoa with 1-½ cup water and pinch of salt in a deep pan with a tight lid. Let it cook at high heat until the water starts boiling.
- Then, lower the heat to medium, cover it with the tight lid and let it simmer until all the water is absorbed. It should take about 15-17 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 more minutes with the lid on.
- Fluff quinoa gently with a fork.
Making the salad
- In a serving bowl, lightly toss the cooked quinoa with the chopped vegetables.
- Pour the dressing on top and toss once again.
- Add some dried fruits, chopped cilantro and serve.
Notes
- A different version of the same salad can be to substitute quinoa with couscous.
- If you can't find ricotta or don't like ricotta, you can always replace it with plain yogurt.
Nutrition
Yelena
The dressing looks so good. I don't have garam masala at the moment but it,s going to be on my shopping list next time. The salad looks very tasty. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
Divya
Beautifully done, Kankana! It's a great dish for a weeknight supper.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Come to think of it, I've never tried Indian inspired dressing in my life! :O this is something I should make. Garam masala and ricotta? Hmmm sounds delicious! Your pictures are so dreamy and beautiful!
Lubna Karim
Even that pot is drooling over I think....lovely pictures.....What can I comment on the recipe that is making me carve for it right now....
erin @ yummy supper
Kankana, for someone who does love quinoa, you sure make a delicious quinoa meal;) That creamy dressing looks especially amazing!
Wishing you a good week,
E
Aunt Clara
Oh wow, there's food from everywhere there. What a unique combination. The pictures are lovely, as always.
Kitchen Belleicious
the dressing itself is to die for. love the idea of ricotta agaisnt the flavors of the garam masala.
reese@SeasonwithSpic
What a lovely salad, Kankana. My mouth waters by just looking at the creamy, flavorful dressing. I'm with you on serving light salads on cold winter days.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
That dressing sounds fantastic, must give it a try!
Tes
Wow, the garam masala dressing looks really fantastic 🙂
Charles
I'm starting to adore quinoa - I make a very similar salad... without the ricotta though... a bit like a tabbouleh. It makes a fantastic meal doesn't it? So much healthier than pasta or couscous, and it's pretty much just as filling!
Love your salad - it looks so colourful!
Meeta
I am the summer girl through and through and while I appreciate all what the other seasons have there is nothing like the warm days and nights of summer. Quinoa is a staple at our home and we love salads like this! Like the addition of Garam Masala here.
IshitaUnblogged
Obviously you are a summer girl and find it difficult to let go the sunshine - your logo says it all...
Beautiful photographs obviously (everytime I'll copy-post this) and I'm really interested in making Quinoa a part of our diet as well, but somehow nobody likes it that much. But the dressing here is too tempting and may tempt me to take a plunge!
Charul @ Tadka Masal
I am totally a winter girl, I just love warm soups and hot dinners. Winters in India are sunny also, I love that winter sunshine but above all I love love love cuddling up underneath a blanket. Oh! I miss winters.
Love that dressing and garam masala in it.
Jessie
Love quinoa. Great photos as always! Nice job. 🙂
mjskit
That is a colorful salad! I would never have thought to use a creamy dressing with quinoa, but after seeing this, it's obvious that it works just fine. The dressing sounds very flavorful and perfect for this gorgeous salad. Beautiful post!
Anna
So nice you have your own blog! It's one more chance to enjoy your wonderful photos.
Shumaila
A lovely introduction to the salad. Your words drew me into trying the recipe. I am pinning this and definitely will be trying it out. And the usual line that I always put (because its always true of your posts)- your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!
Arch
That looks like a lovely dressing...never tried quinoa, but will try that dressing for sure...Picture of that can with quinoa is beautiful.
chinmayie @ love food eat
I still haven't tried Quinoa. I somehow prefer to cook with local grains which don't even cost a fraction of imported quinoa and are actually equally healthy.
Will try a salad like this with foxtail millet 🙂