Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

Submitted by ElizabethKnicely

"Hello lovely! Yes, this is a lovely, lovely salad. It's lovely because it combines a few of my favorite flavors (strawberry, spinach and almonds). It's lovely because it tasted light, but the quinoa made me feel full. And it's even lovelier because it is made of "ingredients I had on hand." Otherwise known as "popular ingredients that most people have"...because I don't buy too many crazy, off the wall or expensive ingredients...so chances are you have these ingredients too! And as you can see from the photo, I chopped up whole almonds...using what I had on hand. It would have been easier to use slivered or chopped almonds (or pecans!), but I didn't have those, so we made do. I'm all about improvising, and making do with what I can find in the pantry! Variation: If I'd had poppyseed dressing on hand, I would have used that...but I used a sweeter red wine vinaigrette that I found in the fridge. A balsamic vinaigrette would be lovely too. Use what you've got! My favorite salad that I eat for lunch several times a week is topped with diced mango, diced avocado and a tangy vinaigrette. So that combo is next on my list for a quinoa summer salad! Nom-nom!"

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Yields: 2 main dish servings, 4 to 6 side dish servings
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• 2 cups white quinoa
• 6 large strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 2 handfuls fresh Baby Spinach, chopped
• 1⁄4 - 1⁄3 cup chopped almonds or 1/4-1/3 cup slivered almonds
• poppy seeds or other sweet vinaigrette

directions

1. Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Cool for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
2. When ready to serve, mix together the chilled quinoa, strawberries, chopped spinach and almonds.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the top.
4. Serve chilled as main dish, or side dish. Perfect for lunch too!