A great quick...yet warm and satisfying dish for lunch? Add some grilled chicken or a nice piece of fish for a delicious dinner...soooo good and sooo healthy!!! I love Quinoa. I make it with all sorts of veggies in it...peppers, brussel sprouts, anything you can think of. Today, instead of spinach, I used baby kale. It worked great. Because when I added the hot Quinoa it slightly wilted the kale like it would spinach and it was fantastic. So is it a salad??? Side dish??? Not sure....but it is good!!!
QUINOA & KALE SALAD
1 CUP QUINOA APPROX. 3 CUPS KALE 1/2 CUP SLICED ALMONDS 1/2 CUP CRANBERRIES 1/4 GOAT CHEESE ( OR THE CHEESE OF YOUR CHOICE) SALT & PEPPER 1/2 OF A LEMON JUICED OLIVE OIL (LEMON FLAVORED IF AVAILABLE)
Start by making your Quinoa. It is 2 cups of water per 1 cup of Quinoa. So bring the water to a boil and add the quinoa. Simmer on a low/medium flame as directed on package about 20 minutes until done.
When it is just about done....add the juice of 1/2 of the lemon. Also, add salt & pepper, and a nice drizzle of olive oil. If you have Lemon infused oil that is great...if not just use the regular.
While the Quinoa is cooking...you can toast your almonds. Just throw them in a small saute pan over a high heat. They will toast quickly so keep turning them and keep a close eye on them so they do not burn.
Now wash your kale and get it into a bowl.....
When your Quinoa is done...and while it is still hot...toss it into your kale. As I said, the heat will slightly wilt your kale
Now top it with the toasted almonds....cranberries...and goat cheese. I love goat cheese but you can make it anything you want (feta, parmesan.....etc).