This is a lovely fragrant salad that makes a wonderful addition to a help-yourself spread.
Vegan Quinoa Salad
Serves 4
Preparation 20 minutes
Cooking 18 minutes, plus 15 minutes cooling
INGREDIENTS
175 g (6 oz) quinoa, rinsed
30 g (1 oz) shelled pistachio nuts
70 ml (21⁄4 fl oz) orange juice, plus the finely grated zest of 1 orange
60 ml (2 fl oz/1⁄4 cup) mild extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
sea salt flakes
freshly ground black pepper
6 spring onions (scallions), very finely sliced
3 tablespoons chopped mint
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
1 large bunch watercress,
tough stalks removed
10 ready-to-eat dates, chopped
METHOD
1 In a medium pan, bring 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) water to the boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 18 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork and spread out on a large
plate to cool.
2 In a dry frying pan, toast the pistachio nuts until fragrant and starting to brown. Set aside to cool, then coarsely chop.
3 To make the dressing, whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper.
4 To assemble the salad, put the quinoa in a large serving bowl and toss with half the dressing. Fork through the orange zest, spring onions, herbs, watercress, dates and enough of the remaining dressing to coat. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, pepper or dressing if needed. Serve immediately.
Recipes and images from Easy Vegan by Sue Quinn, $39.99 available now.
