Last weekend we had some crazy weather, though not uncommon for this area. Saturday was the start of the farmers market, and the warmest day we’ve had yet this year. It was sunny, not windy for a change, and 70 degrees. Just lovely. Which meant that everyone was at the Boulder farmers market. It was so unbelievably crowded that we decided to go down the street to the new Whole Foods for lunch instead. The new Whole Foods in Boulder has probably the biggest prepared foods section of any Whole Foods in the country. The prepared foods area alone is the size of a grocery store. Seriously. You have to walk around it for ten minutes just to decide what to get.
Then on Sunday, in classic Front Range fashion, it poured rain and then it snowed. Haha! My kids were literally running through the sprinkler in our yard on Saturday afternoon, and in rain coats and ski jackets on Sunday. Cracks me up.
But back to the food. So, one of the best things I got for lunch in Whole Foods on Saturday was a citrus quinoa salad. It was so good that I decided to make my own version. Even Andy, who wont touch most quinoa, ate it two days in a row. This is a photo of it last night for dinner with my chicken mole. I should have the chicken mole recipe up tomorrow probably. It too was delish.
Citrus Quinoa Salad
Soak one cup of quinoa in water for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile bring to simmer:
1 cup vegetable broth
2/3 cup water
Strain the soaking quinoa and add it to the pot.
Simmer about 14 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed.
Let cool.
Add to bowl:
3 peeled mandarin oranges (which is a little over 1 cup)
1 cup grape tomatoes, rinsed and cut lengthwise
1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
2 tbsp rough chopped fresh basil
1 cup cooked black beans
Whisk dressing (or use a Magic Bullet):
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 tsp Herbamare
1 tbsp honey
Add the quinoa and the dressing to the other ingredients in the bowl.
Combine.
Refrigerate.
Best the day after it’s made.
♥, Kelly
PS Only 9 more days to join us in Our Spunky Easter Holiday! Click for the details here!
Kim and Megan says
This sounds and looks fantastic. It also seems like a bit of sunshine that the weatherman says we are going to be short of here in Chicago.
Hannah says
Sounds tasty. Like your husband, quinoa is not always my favorite, but occasionally I’m in the mood for it. I should make mole. I love it…haven’t made it for a long time. The jarred versions have lots of sugar and wheat in them. Too bad! It isn’t that hard to make your own–just several ingredients. Sounds like a great combo with the quinoa. 😀
Lisa says
I’ve only been to a Whole Foods once, when I was visiting the States. It was glorious!! Hope they open more in Canada soon….
Your quinoa salad looks delish! I’ll definitely be trying this recipe in the near future. 🙂
Lori says
sounds so yummy. I like the red quinoa and have clementines on hand – would the clementines would as good as the mandarine oranges??
Be well ^..^
The teenie foodie says
Mmmm this looks wonderful, I love all the colours in the dish! I’d love to try this as I’m always looking for a tasty quinoa salad to convince my gluten-full brother. With such a vareity of ingredients in there I may just make some for my lunch with some lettuce!
Teenie Foodie
Jeanette says
Kelly – this salad sounds so bright and fresh tasting, great for lunch or dinner!
Kristen says
This looks yummy!! 🙂
Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger) says
This looks wonderful. I am so boring when it comes to grains. I pretty much use just wheat, barley and oats. I think it’s time to expand my horizons. Thanks for sharing!