Description
A vibrant and nutritious Apple Quinoa Salad featuring a blend of sweet and tart fruits, crunchy almonds, and a fragrant hint of cinnamon, all brought together with a luscious sweet tahini dressing. This refreshing salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or a light dinner, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Granny Smith Apple
- 1 Red Apple
- 1 1/2 cups Grapes
- 1 stalk Celery
- 1/4 cup Raisins
- 10 Almonds
- 3 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Sweet Tahini Dressing
- 1/3 cup Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
- Water (to thin dressing, as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Rinse quinoa thoroughly using a fine mesh sieve. In a medium pot, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the quinoa cooks, whisk together 1/3 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add a splash of water and stir well to combine, adjusting consistency by adding more water a teaspoon at a time to achieve a pourable, drizzle-able texture.
- Dice the Apples: Core and dice both the red apple and Granny Smith apple into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl and squeeze the juice of one lemon over the diced apples to prevent browning and add bright flavor. Toss gently to coat.
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled quinoa. Mix in the diced apples, grapes, chopped celery, raisins, chopped almonds, fresh mint leaves, and ground cinnamon. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed and flavored.
- Serve with Dressing: Spoon the salad into serving bowls or plates. Drizzle generously with the prepared sweet tahini dressing just before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
Notes
- For softer quinoa, you may fluff it with a fork after cooking to separate the grains.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more maple syrup if desired.
- To make this salad vegan and gluten-free, ensure your tahini and maple syrup are certified if needed.
- The apple cider vinegar is optional but adds a subtle tang to balance the sweetness of the dressing.
- Can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Apple Quinoa Salad, Sweet Tahini Dressing, Healthy Salad, Gluten Free Salad, Quinoa Recipes, Vegan Salad Dressing
