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
Funwidfud
Yummy looking salad...Loved the dressing and various flavors in it...Beautiful clicks...Loved the dressing click...sooo messy...still its very beautiful...
Eha
What a beautiful, colourful recipe using one of my fave grains! More than that, really appreciate having the ingredients for this dressing: sounds different to anything I have tried and could be used in a number of ways 🙂 !
Richa
love this masaledaar quinoa salad! we eat loads of quinoa:)
Vijitha
Super delicious and super-duper healthy. Love the mint dressing. Going to fix this for lunch one of these days. As always AWESOME pics sweetie!
Deepa
good to know that atleast you are getting familiarize with quiona , it's an alien grain for me till date. That basket looks so good...Salad looks so good...
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
I feel the same way and always try to hold on to summer as long as I can. Quinoa is one of my favorite grains and I love trying out new recipes. This looks amazing! I could eat it for lunch or a light dinner. Thanks for sharing:)
vanamala
Very nice recipe...love Quinoa dressing.
shema george
beautiful salad...and really interesting use of ricotta ....will give it a try for sure...loved the pic of the dressing ...
thyme (Sarah)
That creamy dressing sounds and looks so delicious.
Nupur
A perfect summer breakfast.. I spoecially love the tempting picture (second last one)
debjani
How many times have I picked up a box of quinoa at the grocery only to put it back down. The thought of an extremely tangy quinoa salad that happened to be my first taste has got me biased. I have never heard of ricotta in salad dressing and it sounds very interesting! That box might get in the cart with me next time.
Sanjeeta kk
Awee... love that cute rustic basket and the dressing spilling over the board! Quinoa meal is always welcome at my home.
indugetscooking
Love the colours in the salad. And red grapes, tomatoes, cranberries? So much flavour in there!
sangeeta khanna
Lovely healthy salad. Your pictures are awesome as always 🙂
Sharing it.
KiranTarun
If you love sunshine so much, come and visit Florida. We'd had enough of blazing sunshine. It's officially fall and it doesn't feel like it, one bit 😀
Love this creamy dressing on delicious bowl of quinoa salad 🙂
Rosa
The weather's a bit the same here. Very inconsistent.
This salad is really scrumptious looking and your clicks are delightful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Reem | Simply Reem
I'm so staying with you on this Salad!!!
I'm so preparing myself for fall but seems like neither the brutal temprature nor me r really ready for it... 😉
Beautiful shots... Loving the bowl...
tigerfish
For a day like today that is super hot in the Bay Area, a salad sounds great! And what's better than a nutritious salad like quinoa salad 🙂
Anamika
Lovely post Kankan and a tempting colorful Quinoa Salad. I have never used Quinoa and dont know where do we get out here, need to do a little reserch on this soon, till then can surely try out this creamy dressing :)!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I'm a summer girl too, and I'm not ready to let it slip away! What a gorgeous salad - I must confess that I haven't fallen for quinoa yet but this looks too good. It might make me a convert!