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Mary Anne here. In early August, as Lil Man grew faster than Mariel could digest the nutrients to sustain his feeding frenzy, I created this protein-packed pilaf. Desperate for meals that my starving girl could grab and go, this particular prize is now on her top 10 list of most requested mama foods. Anyone in the empty nest category will know the exquisite joy this brings me – and Mariel isn’t crying about it either! FYI: Quinoa is touted as an “ancient grain,” dating back to the Inca civilization over 5,000 years ago. It’s an excellent source of complete protein; low in digestible carbs; gluten-free and has a subtle, nutty flavor. Bonus – after it is boiled it’s pretty in a soft, translucent way.
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Quinoa Salad with Sweet Bell Peppers, Dried Cranberries and Turkey Bacon Serves 8
Tip: We served this as a main course and kept the dressing on the side to keep the grain and the pecans from becoming mushy. Mariel tossed the prepared dressing with the pilaf each time she attacked the fridge. This is also easily converted to vegetarian. Simply eliminate the turkey bacon and add 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained. Ingredients: 1 cup organic quinoa – $3.75 2 cups water or chicken/vegetable stock – stock ½ Teaspoon salt – stock 1 red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced – $1.05 ¼ cup jalapeno pepper, minced – $0.43 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced – $0.99 ¾ cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped – $3.99 ¾ cup dried cranberries – $2.99 4 scallions (green onions), white and green parts thinly sliced – $0.99 5 ozs. Montrachet or plain goat cheese (NOT Feta) – $4.99 ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped – $0.99 1/2 lb. Annie’s Nitrate/Nitrite-free turkey bacon, cooked crisply and crumbled – $4.49 9 cups fresh, baby arugula – $3.99 sliced grape tomatoes for garnish – optional For the dressing: ¼ cup cider vinegar 1 Teaspoon Turmeric or dry mustard – stock 1 Teaspoon Cumin – stock 3 Teaspoons honey – stock ¾ cup olive oil – stock salt and pepper Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $28.65 Total Per Serving: $3.58 Directions: 1. If not using organic quinoa, rinse in a fine mesh strainer under cold, running water. 2. In a 1½ quart lidded saucepan, combine the quinoa, salt, and water or stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking until all of the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff the grain with a fork and set aside. Allow to cool to about room temperature. 3. In the mean time, prepare the remaining ingredients and dressing. Set the dressing aside. 4. Toss the peppers, cheese, nuts, cranberries, cucumber, onions, cilantro, and crumbled bacon with the quinoa. Season the Pilaf with salt and pepper. Add the dressing if serving all at once, combining well. 5. Divide the arugula between 8 plates and top with the Quinoa Pilaf. Garnish with cherry/grape tomatoes, if desired.
Love quinoa, and this salad looks so colorful and appetizing. And love all the combination. Goat cheese, arugula, cumin, cilantro… These are my all-time loved ingredients. YUM!
What a beautiful photo of you “nutrient bouquet of flavors”! Your creative recipe arrangement resembles a flower bouquet -pleasing to the eye ,as well as the palate ! This recipe is on my “MUST : make list. GREAT JOB <MARY ANNE !! XXXOOO
Mommies are the best and what a sensational salad.
🙂 Mandy
This sounds terrific and looks beautiful…guess that makes it perfect, right? I’m becoming a fan of quinoa; I just made some bread with it the other day; after some initial high altitude burps I can attest to how great an addition that was!
Quinoa is one of my favorites. Love the addition of turkey bacon here too!
I could also use the help of this protein-packed delicious salad! I feel like I’m nursing 24/7! 🙂
I hope Mariel and baby are doing great!
I can’t seem to get enough quinoa. Such a fun fall combo you have here.
Love all the flavors in this protein packed quinoa salad – the dressing sounds fantastic!
That is one beautiful quinoa dish!!
I’m obsessed with quinoa salads — this one looks amazing! I’ll have to try it.
Yum! I love quinoa and this version looks perfect. Need to put this aside for when I’m nursing!
I made this over the weekend for my daughters annual halloween party she hosts with her grandmother – we made a vegetarian version for our meat free friends … I have to say this was one of the BEST hearty vegetarian salads I have EVER made. Everyone, (meat eaters included) loved this and asked for the recipe. I pointed them all to your blog … Thank you so much for your simple, delicious – healthy recipes that make cooking and entertaining even more fun!
Thank you so much Kara for writing. Your note really made our day! So glad that you enjoyed this as much as we do. It is absolutely a go-to dish around here these days!