Hello lovely.
Yes, this is a lovely, lovely salad. It’s lovely because it combines a few of my favorite flavors (strawberry, spinach and almonds). It’s lovely because it tasted light, but the quinoa made the me feel full. And it’s even lovelier because it is made of “ingredients I had on hand.” Otherwise known as “popular ingredients that most people have”…because I don’t buy too many crazy, off the wall or expensive ingredients…so chances are you have these ingredients too! And as you can see from the photo, I chopped up whole almonds…using what I have on hand. It would have been easier to use slivered or chopped almonds (or pecans!), but I didn’t have those, so we made do. I’m all about improvising, and making do with what I can find in the pantry!
Variation: If I’d had poppyseed dressing on hand, I would have used that…but I used a sweeter red wine vinaigrette that I found in the fridge. A balsamic vinaigrette would be lovely too. Use what you’ve got!
My favorite salad that I eat for lunch several times a week is topped with diced mango, diced avocado and a tangy vinaigrette. So that combo is next on my list for a quinoa summer salad! Nom-nom!
(Price breakdown: 1 lb. strawberry boxes for $1.98 this week! More info on quinoa prices here. Baby spinach pulled from the big box of spring mix I buy every week.)
Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad
Inspired by Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Yield – 2 main dish servings, 4 to 6 side dish servings
Preparation Time – 10 minutes to mix together
Cooking Time – 15 minutes for quinoa, 2 hours to chill
Ingredients
- 2 cups white quinoa ($1.50)
- 6 large strawberries, hulled and chopped ($1.50)
- 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach, chopped ($.50)
- About 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped or slivered almonds ($1)
- Dressing drizzles – balsamic, poppyseed, or other sweet vinaigrette ($.25)
Directions
- Rinse the quinoa with cold water.
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Cool for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
- When ready to serve, mix together the chilled quinoa, strawberries, chopped spinach and almonds. Drizzle the dressing over the top.
- Serve chilled as main dish, or side dish. Perfect for lunch too!
Cost $4.75
Alicia says
It’s so nice to hear that familiar tone in your writing… just tickled me. Nom nom usually does the trick, lol. The salad sounds intriguing and I love using up what’s on hand, there is satisfaction in doing so sometimes. Thanks & Take care!
Shela says
Perfect for my “Meatless Mondays” meal!
Laura says
This looks like the perfect summer salad. Simple and healthy how can you go wrong? Can’t wait to try it!
Heather Grant says
Thank God I can finally make a lunch for my gluten-free coworker that will fit my diet too!
Kim says
That’s two cups already cooked quinoa; correct?