Fall Quinoa Salad with Apples, Pecans, and Cranberries

Good Morning! I know I’ve already mentioned this in previous posts but have you checked out Chickpea magazine yet? I am so excited that they have officially starting shipping out the fall issue this week. I cannot wait to snuggle up on the coach with my puppy and a big mug of chai tea while I swoon over this issue’s recipes and articles!

 

 

Anyhow, today I am sharing a recipe for a quinoa salad. Do you like quinoa? Did you try that Southwestern Quinoa Salad I posted about awhile back? If you have not tried it, I highly recommend checking this grain (is it a grain or a seed?) out. It has such a unique, light and filling texture//taste that it really is hard to explain. This salad is super simple and easy to make so this would be a great introduction to quinoa for you. The hint of cinnamon counteracts the tart apples to make a flavorful and filling side dish.

 

 

Fall Quinoa with Apples, Pecans, and Cranberries

  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tart apple, diced (sprinkle a little lemon juice on the apple chunks to keep from turning brown)
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or cherries or whatever else you like dried!)

 

For the dressing:

  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • dash of cinnamon
  • salt/pepper

Bring the water a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and add in the quinoa. Cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and “fluff” the quinoa with a fork.

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and add to cooled quinoa. Mix in the apple, pecans, and cranberries into the quinoa.

Serve warm or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

 

Comment

14 Comments

  • gglarue
    October 12, 2012

    I cannot wait to try this. I have never seen these ingredients used in quinoa, but they sound like a such great idea!! Love your recipes!

  • albertocook
    October 12, 2012

    I like this recipe!

  • Melissa
    October 15, 2012

    Love the ease of this recipe and the fact the family ate it up was even better!

    • shellywest
      Melissa
      October 16, 2012

      Ohhh! So glad to hear that!

  • Vanessa
    November 18, 2012

    Can I substitute agave for the maple syrup or will that be a different flavor altogether?

    • Shellywest
      Vanessa
      November 19, 2012

      Definitely! It may adjust the flavor slightly (but not in a bad way!) and it will maintain the same texture for the dressing.

  • Happy Friendsgiving! « I Broke my Umbrella
    November 19, 2012

    […] and I brought a classic green bean casserole but subbed in soy milk for regular milk. We also made this delicious quinoa salad. I doubled the recipe, used veggie broth in place of water, and added 3 chopped scallions, and it […]

  • November Wrap Up/December Goals « I Broke my Umbrella
    December 4, 2012

    […] an amazing gluten free side dish to bring to Thanksgiving- Done! I made this with a little green onion and veggie broth and it was […]

  • Cinnamon Quinoa Granola | V
    February 22, 2013

    […] played around with quinoa dozen of time (see: Southwestern Quinoa Salad, Quinoa Nuggets, or Fall Quinoa Salad) but have never been as excited about it as I am with this recipe. Toasting quinoa? Who would have […]

  • District & More
    November 6, 2013

    I just found your site and love your recipes and pictures! I tried making the quinoa salad last night. Worked great! Here is my take on it:

    http://districtandmore.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/fall-quinoa-salad/

    • Shellywest
      District & More
      November 6, 2013

      Yay – so glad it turned out wonderful for you!

  • Fall Quinoa Salad | District & More
    November 6, 2013

    […] meal. Bonus point: you can take the leftovers to work the next day.  I based my recipe off of this post from Vegetarian Ventures.  I swapped walnuts for pecans and a little agave for maple syrup. Next […]

  • sarah
    February 28, 2014

    I made this, omitting the cinnamon, adding a bit of chopped mint, 1/2 chopped cucumber, and a handful of julienned spinach. It IS delicious! I LOVE the dressing! Added a splash of apple cider vinegar, because I didn’t use enough water, and quinoa dried out. YUM!!! THANKS!!!!

  • Donna
    March 21, 2014

    Amazing – best quinoa salad I’ve had! Added feta to make a meal.

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