QUINOA SALAD WITH APRICOT AND ALMOND

Filed under Salads, Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
½ cup dried apricots, chopped
¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions
Bring water to a boil and add quinoa. Cook for 15-20 minutes over medium low heat until water is evaporated and quinoa is tender.  Allow quinoa to cool, then combine with apricots, almonds and chives. Combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard and sugar in a small bowl. Stir dressing mixture into quinoa mixture.  Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Let's Dish
If you haven't tried quinoa, you should!  This is one of my favorite quinoa salads.  Although quinoa isn't a grain,  you can use it to replace grains in many dishes.  It's actually the seed of the Goosefoot plant and is widely cultivated and used in South America.  The great thing about quinoa is that, unlike most grains, it's full of protein.  So it's also a great vegetarian option.  Besides making great salad, quinoa is also great as a side dish, as well as in soups. 

Who Dished It Up First
Adapted from Mother Rimmy's Cooking Light Done Right.