Farmers Market Quinoa Salad With Citrus Dressing


butterfly Serves: 4

Written By Eydie Desser

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If you have a farmers market or specialty market in your area, it’s so much fun to try unique varieties of fruits, vegetables, lettuces and more, that grocery stores don’t carry. This salad was inspired by this notion. I found Robada apricots from Frog Hollow Farms, and a delicious unusual honeydew melon called Arava, from Weiser Family Farm. It is so sweet, hydrating and healthy!   Grocery store varieties work just fine in this recipe, as well. 

Ingredients

For the Salad:
  • 1 cup cooked tri-color quinoa (follow the directions on the package) 
  • 1 can of salt free black beans, drained and rinsed 
  • 1 cup ¼-inch diced honeydew melon  
  • 3 Robada apricots, or other apricots, cut into ¼-inch diced (about 1 cup) 
  • ¾ cup finely diced red onion 
  • 5 cups farmer’s market lettuce mix, or other mix from your local grocery store 
  • ½ cup diced tomato 
  • ⅓ cup pistachios, roasted at 350° for 3 minutes or until lightly toasted
For the Dressing:
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (about ½ teaspoon)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 teaspoon tamari, 50% less sodium, or a tiny bit more to taste

Directions

Make the Salad:
  • In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the salad and mix thoroughly.
Make the dressing:
  • Add all of the dressing ingredients to a large measuring cup and whisk thoroughly to create a smooth sauce.
  • Start with ¼ cup of dressing, and pour onto the salad, mixing with two spoons to dress each ingredient. Add more as needed.
butterfly Cook's Notes:
  1. Robada apricots are flavorful and aromatic. They are a USDA variety of apricot and receive rave reviews from restaurant owners and customers. It has a beautiful color and size; it’s probably the biggest apricot in the market. These apricots are great for eating fresh, drying, canning or freezing. Originates from Fresno, California, introduced in 1997.
  2. Arava melons have a candy-like sweetness.  They are a good source of vitamin C  potassium, and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The variety also provides vitamin A and calcium to build strong bones and teeth, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and other nutrients, including magnesium, manganese, zinc, vitamin K, and copper.

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