Tasty Tuesday: {Keen for Quinoa}
As we all know, quinoa is now a staple. It certainly hits my table at least three times a week. And while I love it, it can also get a little…well, let’s just call a spade a spade: boring! Yes you can add in this, that or the other, but I’ve been on the hunt for fresh recipes to really mix my quinoa repertoire up.
Thankfully, the possibilities of how to cook quinoa are pretty endless – it’s such versatile little grain. For this week’s Tasty Tuesday, AQ Wellness dished up their secret recipe for this bright and healthy Spring Asparagus and English Pea Salad. I think we found our new favorite team lunch!
Spring Asparagus Pea Quinoa Salad by AQ Wellness
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Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa, soaked overnight with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, drained, rinsed well
1 bunch asparagus, sliced 1/4 inch thick at a bias
1 cup shelled english peas
1 meyer lemon, juiced and zested (more if needed)
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
olive oil to taste
mixed greens
Instructions:
Add rinsed and soaked quinoa to a large sauce pan and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer for 5 minutes or until grain no longer has a white center.
Add in sliced asparagus and english peas and mix until vegetables turn bright green, around 1-2 minutes. Do not overcook.
Strain quinoa and vegetables in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Drain water completely, shaking it vigorously and place in a large bowl.
Stir in meyer lemon zest and juice of 1 lemon. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Adjust to taste with more lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
Drizzle with olive oil and place over a bed of mixed greens.
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Who knew that a great quinoa secret is to soak it overnight in apple cider vinegar?? It certainly ups the flavor factor. This salad is the perfect lunch to make in a big huge bowl and keep the extras for the next day’s leftovers. The veggies are super crisp and crunchy and the meyer lemon zest {which we’re quickly learning is a secret weapon when cooking!} adds that zing of freshness. If you need a last-minute recipe for Easter weekend, I think we’ve found your winner!
original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // original recipe for apartment 34 by AQ Wellness // dishware by Vietri // art direction styling by Apartment 34
