Recipes > Quinoa Confetti Salad

Quinoa Confetti Salad

Details

This refreshing salad is made with quinoa, apple, celery, red onion, golden raisins, cilantro, mint, lime, garam masala and curried cashews.
  • Serves: 6 to 8
  • Active Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Views: 41,072
  • Success Rating: 92% (?)
    0% - I fed it to the dog
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Steps

Step 1: Preparing Your Mise en Place

Preparing Your Mise en Place
  • 1/2 cup raw cashew nuts
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder**
  • 1 tsp coconut or grapeseed oil
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1/4 red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 3/4 cups stock or water*
  • 1/2 bunch kale, cleaned and torn into pieces
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins
  • 1 fresh lime, zest and juice
  • 1 firm apple, small dice
  • 1/2 bunch fresh mint, roughly chopped
  • sea salt, to taste

Method

Note: While the ingredients here work well together, feel free to have fun with this salad by using whichever vegetables and aromatics you like. Just keep in mind the color and texture of the vegetables—this salad is meant to be bright in color with a bit of crunch.

To prepare your mise en place, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).

To start, cook the quinoa. Bring the stock, quinoa and salt to a boil in a small pot. Reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Keep covered and let rest for about 10 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and set aside to cool. *Note: If using plain water, be sure to season the water with a pinch or two of sea salt.

Note: This recipe is even better if made with this Garlic-Fried Quinoa.

Next, mix the cashews with the oil, curry powder and salt. Toss to fully coat the nuts with the curry powder. Place into the oven and roast until just lightly toasted. Alternatively, the nuts can be dehydrated for a few hours in a dehydrator.

**Note: Again, feel free to play with the spices that you add to the nuts. Also, if you like a little heat, add a bit of cayenne or chili powder, for an added kick. Alternatively, you could use this recipe for Curried Cashews.

Lastly, gather and prepare the remaining ingredients.

Step 2: Making & Assembling the Salad

Making & Assembling the Salad
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp coconut oil*
  • black salt, to taste**
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala

Method

To start, heat a large fry pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil, followed by the kale and a pinch of salt. Sweat for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the leaves are wilted but still bright green.

*Note: If desired, omit the oil and sweat the kale with a bit of vegetable stock or water. Alternatively, the kale can be added to the salad raw; however the slightly wilted kale does add another welcome texture to the salad.

To assemble the salad, place the quinoa into a large shallow bowl and toss with the kale. Next, add the celery, onion, jalapeño, apple, lime (zest and juice), raisins, cilantro, mint, garam masala, salt and pepper. Gently toss to coat. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, jalapeño, garam masala and/or lime juice, as desired.

**Note: For added depth of flavor, try adding a few good pinches of black salt (also known as Kala Namak or Sanchal). This purplish/pinkish-grey salt is a special type of Indian volcanic rock salt.

Black salt is used in Indian cuisine as a condiment and adds its distinctive flavor to fresh salads called ‘chaats,’ chutneys and other snacks, such as pakoras.

Lastly, lightly fold in half of the cashew nuts. Then garnish the top of the salad with the remaining nuts and serve. While this salad is nice while slightly warm, it is equally delicious cold.

Chef's Notes

This salad is a great potluck or make ahead salad. If preparing ahead, it’s best to cut and add the apples at the end, so they maintain their crunch and color —the cilantro and mint are also best added at the end. That being said, any leftovers of the final salad are still delicious.

15 Comments

  • Andrew L
    Andrew L
    We made this tonight and really enjoyed it. Thank you!
  • Cassie B
    Cassie B
    Utterly nutritious with so many veggies along with the quinoa. Loved the flavor. Some mango chutney put it over the top. Thanks Rouxbe.
  • Ken R Rouxbe Staff
    Ken R
    Oh great! It's a really tasty combination - plus loads of texture and color to make it appealing to the senses. Keep cooking, we're here to help.
  • Kathleen S
    Kathleen S
    Absolutely healthy, beautiful and tasty. I have made it several times
  • Ken R Rouxbe Staff
    Ken R
    Thanks Kathleen- Enjoy!
  • Heather
    Heather
    This is one of my favorite recipes. I splurged and bought the specialty salt, and I can't believe what a difference it makes. It takes this dish from "oh, that's good!" to "you must take this away from me because I can't stop eating it." Who knew the type of salt could make such a difference! Thank you!
  • Ken R Rouxbe Staff
    Ken R
    I hear you... it makes a difference for sure and a little goes a long way. Cheers!
  • Michelle M
    Michelle M
    Just started with Rouxbe this week, and this was the first recipe I tried. Delicious and healthy, added some tofu for more texture variety, and subbed snow peas for celery (the one food I really can't stand)! Was fascinated at how much better the flavors mixed than my usual salads, now that Rouxbe taught me how to chop better, with more uniform and smaller cuts than I can usually execute. Looking forward to more!
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    Yeah, so glad that you liked it Michelle!! And nice idea to add some tofu to make it more substantial. Cheers!
  • Judith D
    Judith D
    Really delicious, a flavor surprise in every bite. I loved how satisfied I felt for hours after eating this salad.
  • Kirk B
    Kirk B
    Thanks so much for sharing Judith and thanks too for learning with Rouxbe! All the best, Chef Kirk
  • Joseph C
    Joseph C
    I used pine-nuts instead of cashews, but what an outstanding recipe. So many good ideas came from adapting this recipe!
  • Terrisa C
    Terrisa C
    I LOVED this salad!
  • Inbal F
    Inbal F
    Great salad.
  • Char N Rouxbe Staff
    Char N
    Inbal: The Quinoa-Confetti salad is great , you are right! If you have leftovers, the salad makes a great wrap! Thanks for writing! Cheers, Char

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