Cette recette facile de salade froide de quinoa est parfaite pour une journée d'été, que vous fassiez de la randonnée ou un pique-nique. Elle est fraîche, croquante, nutritive et pleine de saveurs. Vous pouvez même l'utiliser comme accompagnement !
You will LOVE this easy cold quinoa salad, even if you don’t like quinoa. I gave it a try to my non-quinoa eater dad and he absolutely adored it! It is easy to prepare and store, invigorating and nourishing so ideal to bring on a summer hike.
What you need to know
Is quinoa served hot or cold?
That is the most common question and the answer is simple: both! In winter, I love to cook quinoa soups and bring them on a hike using my Thermos to keep them warm. It is a delicious and hearty meal to have on the trails when it is cold and raining outside. To know more about the Thermos and how it can help you keep your meals warm, read my review ici.
During summer, I would suggest that you eat your quinoa cold, it will be more refreshing. There are a variety of salads you can make with quinoa using your leftovers to create astounding dishes in no time.
Why a quinoa salad?
As an on and off vegetarian, I love cooking quinoa. It is nutritive, easy to prepare and inexpensive. I have made countless salads and soups, revisiting recipes and adding my own twist to them. It comes with a homemade dressing, adding a crispy taste to the dish. I created this salad having in mind 3 elements:
- Speed because we are all busy bees. Working a 9 to 5 and coming home on Friday to prepare everything for the next day hike, I know the feeling. So I wanted to create a simple and easy recipe for you to have more time to chill
- Nutrition because we burn on average 430 calories per hour when hiking, depending on weight. Quinoa is classed as a superfood and is one of the most nutritious food on the planet. Therefore it is perfect to bring with you on a hike to keep going and not feeling flat out in the afternoon.
- Transportation and conservation. When we spend the day outdoors, we need something easy to carry. By using an insulated lunch bag, it keeps your salad fresh while you are hiking in the heat. Additionally, you can prepare a big portion of quinoa and keep it in the fridge for up to one week, so there is no waste.
What is inside the easy cold quinoa salad recipe?
Let’s dig into why this salad is good for you whether you are spending the day on the trails or simply going out for a picnic (which does not mean you can’t be healthy too).
Quinoa: This superfood is a pseudocereal as it does not grow on grass. It is a source of fibre, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. It is gluten-free, which makes it ideal for people sensitive to gluten or wheat. Quinoa is classed as a slow-release carb with a Gluten Index of 53 which is ideal when practising activities requiring endurance such as long-distance hikes and marathons.
Red onion: It contains anti-oxidants that aid with digestion and act against osteoporosis to maintain the bones in good health.
Almond: They are a source of antioxidants that are found in the brown layer which is why you should not remove the skin. They are also rich in fibre, proteins and vitamin `E which helps prevent coronary illness.
Gruyere cheese: Source of proteins and calcium, this Swiss-born cheese helps maintain healthy bones and prevent heart disease.
Dried cranberries: They are fat-free, high in fibre and anti-oxidants. However, some supermarket-bought dried cranberries may contain added sugar, so you would need to check the label before buying. Their anti-oxidants help repair damaged cells.
How to make it and tips
Like with many other recipes, I had to try this one a few times before hitting the nail on the head. Here are my tips so that you get it right the first time!
- Rinse the quinoa in cold water to remove its coating which can taste bitter
- Cook the quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth rather than plain water and add lemon to it for the taste
- As the quinoa needs to be served cold, cook it and prepare the vegetables the day before. Store them in the fridge overnight and toss them together with the dressing on the morning of the hike
- Cut the almond in half lengthwise, it will be easier to eat than in full
- Once you mixed the salad, you can keep it for 2 days in the fridge
- You can keep the quinoa itself for a week in the fridge to be used to make additional salads during the week to take to work
- You can swap gruyere cheese for cheddar cheese
- Use only dried fruits and not fresh fruits as they will soak the quinoa which will become squishy
- Put the salad in a lunchbox and carry it on a hike using an insulated lunch bag to keep it fresh
The easy cold quinoa salad recipe
Easy Cold Quinoa Salad
Ingrédients
- 200 g Quinoa
- 1/2 Onion
- 50 g Almonds
- 100 g Gruyere cheese
- 50 g Dried cranberries
- Chive for presentation
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 6 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa following the direction on the box
- Leave the quinoa to cool down for at least 1 hour
- Chop the red onion
- Cut the almonds in half (optional)
- Slice the gruyere cheese and cut it into cubes
- Mix the quinoa and the onion and drizzle the dressing on top
- Toss until absorbed
- Add the gruyere cheese, the almonds and the dried cranberries
- Sprinkle with chives
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper for the taste
Dressing
- In a dressing mixer, combine 6 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper
- Whisk until blended
Notes
- Rinse the quinoa in cold water to remove its coating
- Cook the quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth rather than plain water and add lemon to it for the taste
- Once you mixed the salad, you can keep it for 2 days in the fridge
- You can keep the quinoa on its own for a week in the fridge
- You can swap gruyere cheese for cheddar cheese
- Use only dried fruits and not fresh fruits as they will soak the quinoa which will become squishy
- Nutrition facts table
You can alternatively add some lettuce and serve it as a side dish or a starter.
If you like the easy cold quinoa salad or know a few tricks to improve the recipe, please drop me a comment in the section below. I would love to read about your version of the quinoa salad.
Lunch? Checked ✅
Hiking trail? Not checked ❌
So why not have a look at this selection of walks near London to give this salad a try?
10 Beautiful Walks Close To London You Didn’t Know Existed
Meilleures randonnées dans le Kent : 7 randonnées pour tous les niveaux
Promenades près de Marlow : 2 promenades entre collines et rivière
Promenades circulaires dans l'Essex : 3 boucles à Epping Green
Promenades circulaires près de Londres : 7 belles randonnées à la campagne
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