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Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

A vibrant and nutritious salad featuring quinoa, cranberries, and apples, perfect for any gathering or weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa Rinsed
  • 2 cups water For cooking quinoa
  • 1 cup cranberries Fresh or dried
  • 1 large apple Diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts Optional
  • 1/4 cup parsley Chopped
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove its natural coating.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
Mixing
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, 1 cup of cranberries, diced apple, optional chopped nuts, and parsley.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is coated.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for an hour to let flavors meld.

Notes

If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep nuts separate until serving to maintain crunch. Enjoy with grilled chicken, fish, or as a wrap filling.