Strawberry, Quinoa, and Ricotta Salata Salad

  • 4

Ingredients

  • DRESSING:
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 small dried red chile, broken in half
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed well and drained if needed
  • 1 package mixed baby lettuce, something with arugula in it
  • 1 1/2 cups quartered or halved strawberries
  • 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced into half-moons
  • 1 small spring onion bulb or 2 green onions, cut into 2-in. slivers
  • 1/4 pound ricotta salata or feta cheese, thinly sliced
  • spiced pumpkin seeds, to garnish (see your Actifry recipe for making those)
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped strawberries
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • About 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Step 1

Make salad: Heat oil with chile and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add quinoa and toast, stirring often, until it starts to turn golden in spots, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in 2/3 cup water, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit 5 minutes, then pour quinoa onto a plate and let cool. Discard chile.

Meanwhile, put remaining salad ingredients except for cheese in a wide bowl and set aside.

Make dressing: In a small bowl or glass jar, combine 2 tsp. water with all dressing ingredients except oils. Set aside 10 minutes; whisk in oils.

Toss greens lightly with dressing. Spoon onto 4 salad plates. Gently toss quinoa with 2 tbsp. dressing. Mound quinoa on top of salad and tuck in cheese. Season generously with more pepper and garnish with pumpkin seeds and serve with remaining dressing to add as needed.