Saturday, September 28, 2013

Quinoa Salad with Asian-Style Dressing


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is the second of the two quinoa recipes I've been working on for Meatless Monday. It has a vaguely Asian flair and it is ideal for families who are trying to cut back on animal protein consumption. It also helps solve the problem of cooks who still have committed carnivores sitting at their tables. This recipe can be enhanced with shrimp for those who feel the need to consume more than seeds or grain with their meals. It is a lovely recipe that originally appeared in The New York Times. It is really easy to assemble and the Asian-style dressing appeals to a broad range of diners. I would caution that the recipe, as written, makes an awful lot of dressing for the quantity of ingredients actually used in the salad. The first time I made this dish I thought the ingredients were drowning in salad dressing. I've since cut way back on the amount of dressing I use when making this. The bitterness that many associate with quinoa can be avoided by a thorough rinsing of the seeds before they are boiled. I actually toast and rinse mine before using them. This salad is packed with flavor and I think you'll enjoy it for lunch or a light supper. Here's the recipe.


Quinoa Salad with Asian-Style Dressing...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of The New York Times



Ingredients:


Dressing


2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice


1 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar


1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or fresh ginger to taste (more to taste)


1 teaspoon minced garlic


Salt to taste


Pinch of cayenne


2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil or walnut oil


1/4 cup canola oil


2 tablespoons buttermilk


Salad


3 cups cooked quinoa (3/4 cup uncooked)


4 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced


1 small cucumber, halved, seeded and thinly sliced on the diagonal


1/4 cup chopped cilantro


Optional: 12 to 16 cooked medium shrimp, peeled



Directions:


1) In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together lime juice, rice wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, cayenne, sesame oil, canola oil, and buttermilk.


2) In a salad bowl, combine the quinoa, scallions, cucumber, and cilantro. Toss with dressing and divide among salad plates. Top each portion with 3 or 4 shrimp if desired, and serve. Yield: 4 servings.


You might also enjoy these recipes:


Quinoa Salad with Arugula, Asparagus and Avocado - Cooking with Amy


Beet and Quinoa Salad - Nami-Nami


Lemon Scented Quinoa Salad - 101 Cookbooks


Mushroom Quinoa Stew - Bread and Honey


Quinoa Salad - mmm-yoso!!!


Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad - Julie Jams


Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame and Lemon-Tarragon Dressing - One Perfect Bite



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