Honey-Soaked Quinoa Salad with Cherries and Cashews

By á-61574

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed*
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dark sweet cherries, pitted and halved, or red seedless grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup whole cashews, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, cut into thin slivers
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 small head butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce, torn (4 cups)

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 40mins
Adapted from bhg.com

Preparation

Step 1

For honey vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together honey, ginger, vinegar, lime juice, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Drizzle in oil, whisking constantly, until well mixed. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan combine the water, quinoa, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand for 10 minutes.

Fluff quinoa with a fork. In a large bowl combine quinoa, cherries, cashews, apricots, and onion; toss to mix. Add lettuce; drizzle with 1/2 cup of the honey vinaigrette. Toss again. Pass the remaining honey vinaigrette. (Store any remaining vinaigrette in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.)

*Tip: Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and hold under running water to remove any saponin, the natural coating on the grain, which may taste bitter.

Couscous Variation
Prepare as directed, except use 1 1/4 cups water and substitute 3/4 cup couscous for the quinoa. In a small saucepan bring the water and salt to boiling. Add couscous; remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Add to salad with the fruit.

Israeli Couscous Variation
Prepare as directed, except substitute 2/3 cup Israeli (large pearl) couscous for the quinoa. Cook the Israeli couscous according to package directions. Add to salad with the fruit.