Quinoa Salad with Grapes, Pomegranates and Herbs
This quinoa salad is loaded with herbs, grapes and pomegranates. It's a summer explosion for your taste buds.
Author: Lemons & Anchovies
Recipe type: Salad
Serves: 2 as a side dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- Handful cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ grapes, halved
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
- 2 - 3 sprigs fresh mint, chopped
- ½ cup Italian parsley, chopped
- 1 Persian cucumber, chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- It's best to use chilled leftover quinoa here. Originally I cooked 2 cups quinoa in 3½ - 4 cups stock and 1 teaspoon sumac but I ended up with about 5-6 cups cooked. To cook just enough quinoa for this recipe, you will need only ¾ - 1 cup uncooked quinoa. Alternatively, you can just cook it in water, too. Chill before tossing in the salad.
- In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients from the quinoa to the cucumber in a bowl. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice (adjust amounts of both to suit your taste) over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
Notes
The amounts here are based on my taste. Adjust the proportions to your liking. You can also cook extra quinoa so you can enjoy this salad during the week, just tossing the ingredients together for each day you plan to serve it.
Suzanne says
I have to agree with you ordering quinoa salad at a restaurant is a bit risky, glad it was a good thing for you. Your salad does look very appealing to the eye and taste buds, and light too thanks for the recipe Jean!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this fresh new spin on tabbouleh, Jean. Beautiful photos – this salad looks bursting with flavor and texture, two of my favorite things in a salad!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says
Jean – that was such a fun day! We need to venture out again to another wonderful restuarant – your pick this time. Glad that you really enjoyed the salad so much that you recreated it again. Your version looks simply supreme. I remember we enjoyed the deviled eggs with crab, shishado peppers, the quinoa salad and one other item that I just can’t remember. I love Bocanova and enjoy it each time I visit. Your photos are supreme. Thank you for all the kinds words in your post. I am blushing. 🙂
Patty says
Yum, your lunch sounds good! I love all your ingredients in this quinoa salad and the pretty look of all the colors;-) I have to start using more quinoa, I really like it- especially your creative version;-)
marla says
Love the mix of sweet and savory in this pretty quinoa salad. Not to mention pomegranate seeds get me excited for fall 🙂
Rosa says
A splendid salad and combination of ingredients! Sweet and savory food is just so wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I just checked the restaurant online and it looks like a great place! I haven’t really gone back to the area that I am missing out all the new restaurants in the area.
I probably felt the same way if someone order quinoa salad at a restaurant, but I love the surprise and it was wonderful that this salad totally changed your view. That’s why it’s so nice to dine with someone who knows what to order and you get to try new stuff. Your pictures are stunning, Jean. I’d love to have this salad and you convinced me to try these.
Suzanne Perazzini says
This makes for a very photogenic salad with all those lovely colours. I would definitely add some chicken then I wouldn’t have to think about the protein for my family.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I love this version. I have never had a quinoa salad at a restaurant before, but i think i would hesitate to order it as well. I love making it at home though!
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
Oh, look at the beautiful colours and textures happening in this salad! Not only does it look good, the whole plate is chock-full of super nutritious goodies! This is my kind of food when I’m in the mood for something healthy and simple!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
Wonderful twist on tabbouleh! I adore dishes that combine sweet and savory and would trust Lisa’s recommendations, too 🙂
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
Quinoa is something we don’t eat enough. I always say I should make it more often, but I end up cooking something else instead.
Love your sweet and savory salad. I bet it can be one of my favorite salads as well
serena says
Great recipe! and I love the layout of your blog!
I taped a video on how to cook quinoa and I think you might like it.
http://serenapalumbo.com/blog/?p=1070
Ciao
Dena Holland says
Hello!!! This sounds so delicious and looks wonderful too !!! Thanks for sharing .. e restaurant we like ehre at home (Calgary Alberta Canada ) serves a quinoa salad and it is my favorite now.. fairly new to quinoa and loving it! Their salad can have grilled chicken or salmon and has fresh blueberries and a citrus type dressing that is so fresh and yummy! I just crave the whole thing !! I believe it has raw baby spinach leaves and slivered almonds and other things ..yous sounds awesome hope to try it very soon thanks again! Dena Love the pictures u take too
lemonsandanchovies says
Dena, thanks so much for your comment. Your local restaurant’s version sounds great, too. Would like to try with their additions next time. If you do try this one, please let me know how it goes. So glad you like my pictures! 🙂
Trica says
Thanks for posting this! I just had the quinoa salad at Bocanova as well and did my best at recreating it last night. When I was there last week, the quinoa salad had persimmon, grapes, pomegranate, and the greens were arugula. That’s how I made it. I used a red quinoa, left out the duck (only for lack of duck I assure you) and used a lovely white pear cranberry balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dress it. What a treat! I may try your version as well. Thanks again!
Jo El Hall says
I am going to the Farmer’s Market today so I can make this amazing looking dish! It’s perfect for spring. Any suggestions for a substitution for cucumber? Neither me or the husband care for it.
lemonsandanchovies says
I have two suggestions. 🙂 How about celery? Or for a fruitier substitution, I like the sound of chopped apples in this salad. A Granny Smith would be great here. Please let me know how it goes. 🙂