Quinoa And Summer Fruit Salad

Summer in the blazing hot desert. Do I even have to elucidate anymore? Its been 110F+ for the past 10 days. We are now like vampires; the curtains are always shut to block day light and we go out only after the sun goes down. Yesterday, I didn’t even want to set foot in the kitchen. So, with ingredients on hand, I tossed a salad that was quick, easy, and refreshing.

Succulent seasonal fruits, nutty quinoa and a light-sweet dressing – a perfect summer salad. Just the thing I needed. As if agreeing with me, the rain gods showed mercy upon us last night. Today was a cool 106F. I will take anything below 110.

Quinoa And Summer Fruit Salad
(serves 2)

Ingredients

Quinoa – 1 cup
Fruits – 2 to 3 cups, cubed
(I have used nectarines, apricots, strawberries, red grapes, green grapes. Apples, any berries or any stone fruits can also be used)
Pecans or walnuts – ½ cup, roasted and chopped
Scallion – 1, chopped, green parts only

Dressing

Juice and zest of a large lemon
Honey or agave nectar – 1 tbsp
Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Salt

Whisk everything together until blended completely.

Method

Cook quinoa as you normally would. I usually pressure cook 1 cup of quinoa with 1¼ of water for 2 whistles. Fluff and cool completely. Toss quinoa with the dressing, nuts, fruits and scallions. Enjoy cold or at room temperature!

Variations
  • Use other grains in place of quinoa. I have made a similar salad with wild rice mix.
  • Instead of mixed fruits, use cantaloupe, green grapes and fresh mint.
  • Try orange juice and zest instead of lemon.
  • Loose the dressing, and enjoy with low fat yogurt for a satisfying breakfast.

35 comments:

Nina Timm said...

As I am sitting here typing....I see snow on all the surrounding mountains....nature is marvelous and so it this salad!!! I would never have thought of pairing quinoa with fruit!!!

R said...

I usually cook quinoa the same way..... soak it for 2-3 hours, and then pressure cook one cup with one cup of water for 1-2 whistles...... but my quinoa is not as separate as yours..... it usually becomes a lump.... any idea why?

Raaga said...

:-)

it was 113 here for 3-4 weeks :)

Lovely salad!

Pavani said...

Very interesting and refreshing salad. Nice combo of flavors going on.

lubnakarim06 said...

Oh wow....that's an bright, colorful and filling salad.....

Shammi said...

I can only imagine the heat at the moment - it's cold windy and rainy in my part of the world. The moment a hot day comes along, though, this salad will be on my menu! :)

My comfort food network said...

Lovely salad. I love quinoa and often make it like upuma, a salad will be a good change. Love the colors in the dish, very refreshing!

Soma said...

We are almost near you in temperature & I kind of gets to unbearable when I have to run the kids around in the afternoon!!

Salad has become our staple for lunch & dinner, day before yesterday I did fruits & nuts with barley. But the Quinoa here looks so much better. What a gorgeous picture!

Lisa Turner said...

This is absolutely stunning! Wonderful and you use my favorite grain too!

Manasi said...

Yow! that is hot! we went to Vegas last weekend and boy was I sorry! Wanted to come home right away! was a blazing 114 F.
The salad looks refreshing!

Nirmala said...

Such a colorful salad to dry away summer hues :) I would a love a bowl right now to driveaway the extended summer here !

Shwetha said...

Hi Suganya,

Although I've been closely following your blog for over a year now, I haven't had a chance to comment. Your blog is just fantastic and I love your pictures they are beautiful. You seem to capture the colors and textures of the dish in an extraordinary manner. I've tried the adai and avial recipe and even the pongal recipe.They all turned out perfect.

You are truly an inspiration!

Thanks!
Shwetha

KALVA said...

lovely salad

Marta said...

Hello!
I just found your blog on TasteSpotting. Such gorgeous photos, such great ideas!!
This salad in particular looks great, so nutritious and without turning on the stove!!!
I'll continue to visit you :)

Katie said...

This looks delicious! I've made salads with wheat berries and fruit, but a quinoa version sounds even better. I'm also excited to try your breakfast suggestion.

Lori said...

That is just beautiful. I mean really beautiful. All the colors.

Jennifer said...

I love quinoa, this fruit salad sounds sooo good!

sunita said...

What a gorgeous salad :-)

Shah cooks said...

salad days are here again.:)quinoa looks perfect with the strawberries.

Anonymous said...

Here we hardly find the sun and there you have extreme hot climate.
Refreshing salad.

Unknown said...

That makes a colorful summer meal!

thepassionatecook said...

this sounds to me like a very summery version of a deliciously healthy porridge... quinoa of course has all the essential fatty acids and a good balance of proteins and carbs, with the addition of seasonal fruit it is irresistible! wonderful recipe...

Suganya said...

Thank you all, for your kind words. I hope you will try and enjoy this salad as much as I did.

Rooma, to answer your question, there is no need to soak quinoa. Thats why it gets overcooked. But if you are into soaking grains, why not sprout quinoa (as mentioned here) and make a raw salad. Sprouting softens the grain with a slight crunch.

test it comm said...

Quinoa goes really nice in a fruit salad!

Bharathy said...

We are now like vampires; the curtains are always shut to block day light and we go out only after the sun goes down.
....LOLOL :D

Unga Oor mattum romba change onnum illa ;-)..Veyyil summa kolutharathu..Adi Kathu, koncham consoling..

Quinoa looks refreshing!..love the addition of Strawberries.. Sooper click as always...

Sorry...has been really a very long time since I peeped in here Sugi..:)

ramya said...

the pic is so colorful and is very refreshing particularly the fruits look so nice.next time i am going to prepare this salad

Nithya said...

This is absolutely lovely. you really rock. :)

Ash said...

Oh wow!! These looks fantastic and oh so colourful!
Hi! Just found you're blog! Love it!
I'll sure be back!

Linda said...

Hi Suganya, I'm late to comment but wow! Eye-popping colors in that yummy salad :)

Mandira said...

Great combination, thanks suganya! I can't wait to make this :)

Cynthia said...

OMG! Look at the colours in that salad!

Spice Rack said...

What a colorful and a healthy food. I love it.
Salads are really healthy for everyone.

Lizzy said...

I just made this today and it's one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten! I'm going to make it again with some crumbled honey-goat's cheese added to it! Yummmm! Thanks for an awesome recipe!

jenniferdiane04 said...

This looks delicious! I am going to try it tomorrow!

http://thinkingthinhungrygirl.blogspot.com/

Simly Johan said...

What a colourful salad! It is very healthy for health. I want made this salad at home. I impressed by that. I appreciate for you.

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