Quinoa Salad with Pistachios, Currants and Dried Apricots Kissed with Orange, Rice Vinegar and Sesame Oil

by Lynne on August 17, 2011

Post image for Quinoa Salad with Pistachios, Currants and Dried Apricots Kissed with Orange, Rice Vinegar and Sesame Oil

Quinoa Salad 1

This week we had a potluck at my work and when it was announced, I knew I wanted to make this quinoa salad. So I made my shopping list and headed off to my local Ralph’s Market. I looked everywhere for the quinoa and couldn’t find it, so I buttonholed the manager and asked him where it was. He replied, “What’s quinoa?” Can you imagine a grocery store manager not knowing what this food item is? I mean, maybe they don’t carry it, but he should know what it is. Just sayin’.

So I traipsed off to Whole Foods where I knew they had it and bought two 16 oz. bags for $3.50. They had about five different kinds and ten different brands. Quinoa is mainstream, guys. Get with it.

Quinoa Salad 2

Quinoa originated in the Andean region of South America, where it was successfully domesticated 3000 to 4000 years ago. It is now primarily grown in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. The Incas held the crop to be sacred and called it the “mother of all grains.” The Spanish colonists forbid the Incas to grow quinoa and forced them to grow wheat instead.

Quinoa is not a member of the grass family; therefore, it is not a true cereal or grain. It is closely related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. Quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source, which is unusual among plant foods.

What I like about it, besides its being good for you, is its texture, which is a cross between crunchy and al dente pasta. I ate my leftovers from the potluck the next day and the quinoa had the same bite as it did originally. No sogginess here, people. I love this stuff.

P.S. Every once in a while someone else actually makes one of my recipes and it makes me feel so honored and happy. A big thank you to each and every one of you. If you would like to see an absolutely spectacular photo of my Quinoa Salad, hop on over to Carolines Blog post of August 19th. Bravo, Caroline!

Quinoa Salad 3

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Quinoa Salad with Pistachios and Dried Apricots

Note: I used salted pistachios in the shell when I made this dish. To compensate, I added very little salt when I adjusted the seasoning at the end. If you use unsalted pistachios, season accordingly.

Serves 4

2 cups water
2 cups quinoa, rinsed

1 ½ cups dried apricots, ¼-inch slices
1/3 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
¼ cup golden raisins
¼ cup currents, soaked 10 minutes, drained, dried

2 tablespoons mint, minced
¼ cup cilantro, minced

Vinaigrette
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 large lemon
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate (I used Minute Maid)
2 tablespoons sesame oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, decrease heat to low, and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

2. Fluff grains with a fork and transfer to a medium bowl. Allow to cool to room temperature.

3. Add the apricots, almonds, pistachios, raisins, currents, mint and cilantro to the quinoa. Stir to combine.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, cinnamon, rice vinegar, orange juice concentrate and sesame oil.

5. Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

polwig August 18, 2011 at 8:52 am

I have some in my pantry and was still trying to figure out what to make with it, now I am certain.

Lentil Breakdown August 18, 2011 at 9:14 pm

That’s got a really unique mix of ingredients, kind of like your beet and red cabbage slaw one. Love the nuts and sweets and herbs!

Caroline Brouwer August 20, 2011 at 12:55 am

Dear Lynne,
I saw your recipe on Tastespotting and found your blog. Yesterday I made the quinoasalade: ‘t was delicious! I put the recipe with my one picture on my blog.
I made a link to your blog.
Greetings from Holland,
Caroline

Christine August 29, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Not sure about the ratio of water to quinoa. You have 2 cups each, but the rule is generally about twice as much water to quinoa. Do you mean 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water? or 2 cups quinoa to 4 cups water?

I’m planning to make this week. Looks wonderful.

Lynne August 29, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Hi Cristine ~ I used 2 cups water and 2 cups quinoa. The water is completely absorbed and it turns out like the photo. However, if you have a tried and true method of cooking your quinoa, by all means, you should do that. In the end, the goal is to get it cooked. If you make this, I hope you’ll let me know how it turned out. I’d love to know. Lynne xo

Cindy September 19, 2013 at 11:23 am

Made this last night and just ate it for a snack today. So good! I just put the apricots, sliced toasted almonds and currants in it along with the vinaigrette. Perfect blend of flavors. I don’t usually like quinoa but this is amazing!

Valerie June 16, 2016 at 3:45 am

This quinoa salad recipe looks delicious! The combination of nuts and dried fruit is perfect. A delicious salad even in the summer. I can’t wait to try it 🙂

Thanks for sharing.

I have a quinoa feta salad that I love to make in the summer. http://doubletherecipe.com/2016/05/16/quinoa-feta-cheese-salad/

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