quinoa salad with caramelized walnuts and cranberries
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Ingredients
Ingredients for the quinoa salad
  • 2 cups uncooked red and white quinoa, rinsed
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 small broccoli head
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, crushed
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for the caramelized walnuts
  • 1 ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. Bring quinoa, water and some salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes until cooked through. Put quinoa in a bowl and let cool completely.
  2. Chop the broccoli head into florets. Cook them in boiling water in the saucepan for 2 minutes, not more. They shouldn't become mushy and should still remain crunchy. Run them under cold water in a colander to stop the cooking process. Chop them into tiny florets and add to the quinoa. Add the celery and dried cranberries.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lime, garlic clove, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and mix to combine. Let marinate for 2-3 hours in the fridge for the cranberries to soak up the dressing.
  4. To make the caramelized walnuts, melt the butter in a skillet. Add the chopped walnuts, honey, brown sugar and salt and sauté all together for 5 minutes until all the nuts are coated. Spread them on a plate over parchment paper, separating the nuts from each other.
  5. Right before serving the salad, add the caramelized walnuts to the quinoa and mix to combine. Serve the salad at room temperature.
Notes
This salad is best when it is left to marinate for a couple of hours prior to serving. Make sure to bring it down to room temperature before serving. Only add the walnuts just before serving.
ADAPTED FROM: Peas and Crayon's Cranberry Quinoa Salad With Caramelized Walnuts
Recipe by Savormania at http://www.savormania.com/en/quinoa-salad-with-caramelized-walnuts-and-cranberries-4/