Imagine a dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will make your taste buds dance and your body thank you! This Red Quinoa with Apricots and Mustard Dressing is not just a recipe; it's a nutrition-packed adventure that combines the nutty richness of red quinoa, the sweet tang of dried apricots, and a zesty mustard dressing that will elevate your meal from mundane to magnificent. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a flavor seeker, or simply someone who loves delicious food, this recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Healthy
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup red quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing the red quinoa under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve. This helps to remove any bitterness from the quinoa.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dried apricots. Chop them into small pieces and set aside.
- In a small bowl, prepare the mustard dressing by whisking together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- After the quinoa has rested, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chopped dried apricots and chopped almonds to the bowl with the quinoa.
- Drizzle the mustard dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Once everything is well mixed, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the red quinoa with apricots and mustard dressing warm or at room temperature, garnished with extra chopped almonds if desired.
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural coating (saponin) which can cause a bitter taste.
- Use a 2:1 water to quinoa ratio for perfectly fluffy grains every time.
- Let the quinoa rest after cooking to allow it to absorb remaining moisture and become light and fluffy.
- Toast the almonds lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor.
- For extra flavor, you can substitute some water with vegetable broth when cooking quinoa.
- The mustard dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts like pistachios or walnuts for varied texture and taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 244kcal
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
