LEMON, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, AND ALMOND QUINOA SALAD

LEMON, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, AND ALMOND QUINOA SALAD

This is a fast, easy dish that’s ready in 20 minutes and packed with big flavors and so much texture. It's vegan, gluten-free, with no added sugar, and very little oil or salt. There’s sweet yellow onion, chewy and slightly sweet sun-dried tomatoes, sliced almonds for a satisfying crunch, and parsley to add color and a mild herb flavor. Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest really brighten up the dish up. It's great right away but it’s a perfect make-ahead recipe because the flavors develop over time and tastes better a day or two after making it. You can either serve it warm or cold and it’s a great salad for lunch boxes, picnics, potlucks, and parties.

YIELD: about 4 cups
 PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• extra-large yellow onion, peeled and diced small
• 1 cup quinoa (I use tri-colored)
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (zest the lemon before juicing it)
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (about 3 ounces), sliced thinly (I use dry rather than oil-packed but oil-packed may be drained and substituted)
• 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup Fisher Natural Sliced Almonds
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, or to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. To a large skillet or saucepan, add the olive oil, onions, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened and just begun to barely brown, about 7 minutes.
2. Add the quinoa and stir it into the onions and let it toast for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice (zest the lemon before juicing it), salt, pepper, reduce the heat to low, cover pan, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed. While it's cooking, chop the remaining ingredients.
4. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and add the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, almonds, lemon zest, and stir to combine. Taste, check for seasoning balance, and if necessary add more salt, pepper, or possibly a pinch of sugar if you prefer it sweeter to balance the acids, or a pinch of cayenne adds heat. Dish can be served warm and immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors develop over time and tastes better a day or two after making it, and can either be served warm or cold.

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