Layered Quinoa Power Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the walnuts on a sheet pan and cook until aromatic and lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups waters, the quinoa, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, partially covered, until the quinoa pops open and becomes tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, sprinkle the dried cherries on top of the quinoa, cover, and set aside while you make the vinaigrette.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Season with a pinch of salt and a twist of black pepper. Add the onion, toss to combine, and set aside for 5 minutes.
• Add the quinoa, kale, spinach, and garlic to the dressing and toss to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed.

Steps:

• Mix first 3 ingredients until blended.
• Combine chicken, celery, apples and cranberries in large bowl. Add dressing mixture; mix lightly.
• Spoon quinoa into serving bowl; cover with spinach and chicken salad. Sprinkle with nuts.

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is just absorbed and the quinoa is moist and nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and immediately stir in the oil, apricots, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside to cool slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring a couple times. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
• When the quinoa is cool and ready to serve, stir in the arugula, basil, lemon juice and pistachios. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the goat cheese and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and roughly chop. Turn the oven up to 425 degrees F.
• Transfer the pecans to a medium bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the vinegar, the mustard, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, until blended into a vinaigrette.
• Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the pecan vinaigrette, sprinkle with a large pinch of salt and toss to combine. Roast until the squash is fork-tender and browned in spots, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool. (The squash can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Meanwhile, combine the quinoa and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, adjust the heat to medium-low and cook until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan. (The quinoa can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Put the collards in a medium bowl, and add the remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub the vinegar and salt into the collards, and let sit until the greens are tender, about 30 minutes, tossing and massaging again about halfway through.
• Combine the goat cheese, parsley and piquante peppers in a small bowl.
• Using a straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars for 4 individual salads, make a first layer with the quinoa, then add the following in separate layers: half the collard greens, the roasted squash, the goat cheese mixture, the apples, the ham, and the remaining collard greens. Top with the sweet potato chips. (The salad, except for the chips, can be put together, covered and refrigerated up to 2 hours ahead; top with the chips right before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with the remaining pecan vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add vinaigrette to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the water and a pinch of salt to a boil. Add the quinoa, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Transfer to a medium bowl to cool to room temperature, then fluff the quinoa.
• Refrigerate the quinoa for 20 minutes.
• Add the spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, and avocado to the bowl of quinoa and mix to combine.
• Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
• Enjoy!