Quinoa Salad With Apricot & Pistachio

Posted in Recipe on 2 October 2014

Quinoa is a supergrain that offers a number of health benefits. Since it is high in protein and fiber it is a good choice for salads. Many people enjoy quinoa salads and when they are mixed with other ingredients such as fruits and nuts, then they are just unbeatable in terms of taste and nutritional value.

There are many quinoa recipes you will find on the internet, but there is nothing like this quinoa salad recipe that also consists of pistachio and apricot. This recipe is perfect whether you are looking to stay healthy or lose weight.

Okay now that we are on the topic of losing weight, I just remembered that this is the time when many of you look to get rid of those extra kilos so you can get in shape for your bikinis and skinny jeans. You can’t go wrong with this quinoa salad recipe because it is healthy, filling and is not high in calorie content. Quinoa is a complete protein and a great wheat-free alternative. It is classed as a wholegrain and is gluten-free. These tiny grains cook just like rice and they have a nutty yet mild flavor. They have a very light and fluffy texture quite similar to couscous. This health food can be found in every supermarket.

Over the years, the demand for quinoa has increased and this is due to the fact that more and more people have started to understand the benefits of using it in their meals. So now if you have finally realized why you must eat quinoa, then you can get all the ingredients ready and make this delicious and healthy salad.

As we all know nuts are healthy and pistachio is no exception. These tiny nuts are packed with a powerful nutritional punch that can be beneficial for your heart health and overall health. Adding pistachios to your salad can provide the extra protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, iron and phosphorous you need to keep fit. Apricots are also one of the best foods to include in your salad and the reason we have chosen this beautiful orange colored fruits is because these are rich in beta carotene and fiber. Apricots are a common summer fruit so you won’t have any problems in finding them for your salad. They are widely available in supermarkets.

Apricots are a great addition to this salad because they provide the protective benefits of antioxidants. Packed with numerous plant antioxidants, carotenoids, fiber and catechins, these tiny fruits offer numerous health benefits and do not even contribute to much of your daily caloric intake.

Keeping all the benefits and good things in mind, let’s prepare an easy salad that is nutritious and guilt-free. It surely is tasty and you will definitely love it.

http://www.ahlanlive.com/recipe-quinoa-salad-with-apricot-and-pistachio-521104.html

http://www.ahlanlive.com/recipe-quinoa-salad-with-apricot-and-pistachio-521104.html

Quinoa Salad With Apricot & Pistachio October 2, 2014 Ingredients:

For The Salad:

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup parsley
  • ¼ cup, green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup pistachios, shelled
  • 1/3 cups apricots, dried
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

For the Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp minced jalapeno pepper
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp coriander powder
  • ¼ tsp cumin powder
Instructions:
  1. Prepare the salad by combining quinoa, water and salt in a saucepan. Allow it to boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Take a sieve and drain quinoa. Put cooked quinoa into a bowl. Reserve about 3 tbsp of the cooking liquid. Into a large bowl, add quinoa mixture and all the ingredients for the salad.
  2. Prepare the vinaigrette by mixing all the vinaigrette ingredients along with 3 tbsp of reserved cooking liquid in a bowl. Using a whisk, stir well and pour over the quinoa mixture. Toss well and serve.

Source: http://www.ahlanlive.com/recipe-quinoa-salad-with-apricot-and-pistachio-521104.html

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