Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad

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This Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad is the perfect spring time salad. (I made it for brunch last weekend, dinner a few nights ago and probably lunch tomorrow!)

Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)


 

I've recently been making salad dressings in bulk. Depending on the week, I make a different dressing and then use it in just about everything on a daily basis. I've done the Balsamic Vin, Basil Vin, Cilantro Vin... the list just goes on and on. Last week it was all about this Green Goddess dressing and it was PERFECTION on this Quinoa Spring Salad I whipped up after my CSA delivery. There's avocado in the dressing and in the salad because more is more!

Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

And get ready to have your mind blown - crispy quinoa. It's going to be your latest obsession. It's more fried than toasted but it's crispy and it's so freaking good, especially on a Quinoa Spring Salad. It gives it that extra crunch and makes it slightly more filling. Basically a full meal in a salad - just the way I like it!

Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad

Author: Gaby Dalkin
4.9 from 7 votes
This Crispy Quinoa Spring Salad is the perfect way to welcome a bit of spring into the kitchen!!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

  • 2 scallions roughly chopped (white and light green parts only)
  • 1 medium ripe avocado
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • 6-8 tablespoon water plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh basil chopped
  • â…“ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 4 tablespoons snipped chives
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked to taste

For the Salad

  • ½ cup cooked quinoa
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3-4 heads little gem lettuce
  • 2 Easter Radishes sliced
  • 2 Avocado sliced
  • 1 small log goat cheese crumbled
  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh chives
  • Fresh Tarragon
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

For the dressing:

  • Combine everything in a food processor or high powered blender and blend until smooth. Add a few extra tablespoons of water if you need to smooth it out.
  • Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Use immediately, or store in an airtight refrigerated container for up to 4 days.

For the Salad:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the cooked quinoa and toast for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Remove and set aside to cool.
  • Arrange the remaining salad ingredients in a large serving bowl. Once the quinoa has cooled, add that to the salad. Drizzle with the dressing and serve.

Notes

Treat this as a "use what you have" salad. Any produce or dressing that's in the fridge is fair game.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 953mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2120IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
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33 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! I found the salad dressing to be a little tart so I added a dash of honey and it was perfect. Very light, perfect for spring (goes great with grilled chicken!)

  2. Will the flavor be hugely affected by using dried tarragon in the salad instead of fresh?

    Could you recommend a good cheese sub for my goat cheese-hating husband? Unfortunately I like him so I have to sub the cheese instead of the husband

    1. feta would be delish! and you could just omit the tarragon! or use 1/3 of the amount but dried

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