This quinoa salad is super easy to whip up and has the wonderful combination of flavors of cranberries, almonds, pine nuts and pepitas! Nuts and seeds are rich in magnesium, an important nutrient that many Americans fall short on. Quinoa is a whole-grain that can be used in place of rice in many recipes. It is higher in protein than other grains and is also a good source of fiber.
How to make Quinoa with Cranberries and Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- Quinoa 1 cup
- low sodium chicken broth 2 cups
- dried cranberries 1/2 cup
- pine nuts (toasted) 3 tbsp
- pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) 2 tablespoons
- sliced almonds 2 tablespoons
- dried parsley 1 tsp
- balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp
- Dijon Mustard 1/2 tsp
- garlic (minced) 1 clove
- olive oil 3 tbsp
- ground black pepper 1/4 tsp
Directions
- Heat the chicken broth in a pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil.
- Stir in the quinoa; cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Add the cranberries; cover and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the quinoa stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- While the quinoa is cooking; whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Pour the dressing over the cooked quinoa. Add the toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, pepitas and mix well.
- Pour the quinoa into a serving bowl and sprinkle with dried parsley.
- Serve warm or cold.
A few other side dish ideas:
Cranberry Couscous Salad: Fruity and nutty, fresh and delicious, this Cranberry Couscous Salad is a delightfully different side dish In this Moroccan Couscous Cranberry Salad, the fruitiness of the cranberries and mint bring out the rich nutty couscous making it a delicious pairing with roasted chicken, pork, or turkey dinners! This wonderful couscous with pecans and cranberries creates an unforgettable side dish to every meal. See Recipe
Wild Rice and Quinoa Stuffing: This gluten free stuffing is a tasty, filling and heart-healthy alternative for those who are faced with dietary restrictions. I love the crunchiness of the wild rice and celery, and truly don’t even miss “traditional” stuffing. It is easy to make and will become a new family favorite. See recipe
