A little entertaining gets me ready for Spring!
I’ve had my parents in town from Napa, and Sunday we threw a little dinner party for my mom’s 65th birthday. It was a great opportunity to break out my entertaining essentials again! And you know me, I had to rock the supermarket flowers — but really, you can’t pass up ranunculus in happy pops of red, orange, and fuchsia! It was actually pouring rain outside, so these really brightened the table up…
For the salad course, this delish dish was so easy and healthy — highly recommend!
HONEY-SOAKED QUINOA SALAD WITH CHERRIES & CASHEWS
Makes 4 servings; Prep 30 min., Cook 10 min., Stand 10 min.
Honey Vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup whole cashews, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced into thin slivers
- 1 cup fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted and halved, or red seedless grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 small head butter lettuce, torn (4 cups) *I used spring mix because I had it handy
Preparation
- Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and hold under running water to remove any saponin, the natural coating on the grain, which may taste bitter. Couscous, cooked according to package directions, can be used in place of the quinoa.
- For Honey Vinaigrette, in small bowl whisk together ginger, honey, vinegar, lime juice, and garlic. Drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly, until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- For Quinoa Salad, in medium saucepan bring water, quinoa, and salt to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork. In large bowl toss quinoa with cashews, apricots, cherries, and onion. Add lettuce, then drizzle with 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then toss again. Pass remaining vinaigrette. Refrigerate remaining vinaigrette up to 5 days in sealed jar.
Wine pairing: My dad (in charge of the wine for the evening) served Chateau Montelena’s 2009 Chardonnay which complemented the light honey citrus flavors of the dressing perfectly.
Whether you’re entertaining soon or not, give this one a try for sure!
YUM- saving this one!
looks delicious! will definitely try it!
This sounds delicious, just pinned it! And your table looks gorg
Thanks for the recipe! Looks fabulous!
This looks great! I’m definitely going to try this soon. Hope you had a lovely time with your fam!
YUM! That dish looks so divine. Really need to try to make quinoa at home (and need to stop mentally pronouncing it “kin-o-a”!
The flowers are absolutely stunning! And I can’t wait to try out the recipe – thank you for sharing!
This looks light and delicious, it may go on the menu this week! I just made a warm broccoli/quinoa dish last week and it was a nice change to the usual side dish. I have posed a new challenge to myself to make one new recipe a week. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Everything looks gorgeous! And the salad sounds so good! Trying this one fo sho.
This looks absolutely perfect! I happen to have some of that Chardonnay on hand so I’ll have to create this sometime this week! Great recipe.
Love the styling and that salad looks absolutely delish! xo
Your table looks beautiful! And reminds me I need to go and get some flowers myself. That salad looks delish, and I will have to try it soon. Hope you guys had fun!
Yum….and what a gorgeous table. Ranunculus are some of my favorites !!
xxLily
goldandgray.com
Gorgeous! The flowers are beautiful. And I love your tableware, especially the gold flatware!
Delish and nutritious! This is going to be a spring staple for me. Thank you!
This looks incredible! I will have to try it, maybe this weekend! Your celebration looks elegant and gorgeous. xx
I’m so obsessed with how good that salad looks! I LOVE quinoa and I can’t wait to try this!
xoxo
eileen
You are SO amazing!
Seriously, Im coming over for dinner. I’m not a huge fan of quinoa but this actually looks good to me, I think the cherries sell it…and the gorgeous photos! Pinning it for an adventurous day.
Looks delicious! I’m a bit of a fan of quinoa lately, so will give it a try! xx
Sounds good! I will have to try it! Your table looks great!
You’re the only person I know who can make supermarket flowers look expensive. You’re incredible!
YUM!! That looks amazing and the flowers are gorgeous!
I’m obsessed with quinoa. Definitely trying this recipe, I’m eating a quinoa salad while typing this ;)
Your tablescape is just gorgeous! Love the black and gold with the brights! I’m actually working on a tablescape with some friends and were going with black, white, gold and a pop of color! This makes me even more excited about it!
Love quinoa and always love yum recipes that are easy, healthy and elegant. Beautiful table setting, too. What a special birthday your mom had!!
xoxo
irene
I’ve been wanting to make more things with quinoa, so I’ll definitely be trying this recipe! I love that you made such a nice meal for your parents, and that your dad picked out the wine! Josh and I always daydream about how we’ll do things like that with our kiddos some day :).
there you go again!!! the perfect hostess :) those flowers are incredible! and hello scrumptious sounding honey-soaked quinoa!!! YUM! pinning that one now :) XO brynn
And you said you weren’t a gourmande (re your brownie recipe tweet)… that looks delicious and perfect for lunches! Also, I’m envious of your supermarket flowers because ours look nothing like those gorgeous beauties!
I love what flowers do to a table setting. These are just the right amount of color.
I need more ways to make quinoa less boring. As of now it’s really just chicken broth or butter. Toss in some garlic if I’m feeling crazy.
are you kidding me, I am making this TODAY! sounds amazing!
xx