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    $5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

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    Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

    May 22, 2013 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 8 Comments

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    strawberry spinach quinoa salad

    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.)

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    Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

    Tastes light, but fills you up!
    Prep Time10 minutes
    Cook Time15 minutes
    To Chill2 hours
    Servings - 4 servings

    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups white quinoa
    • 6 large strawberries, hulled and chopped
    • 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach, chopped
    • 1/3 cup chopped or slivered almonds
    • Dressing drizzles - balsamic, poppyseed, or other sweet vinaigrette

    Instructions

    • 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!

    Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

    See more $5 Dinners Popular Recipes here

    24 shares
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    Filed Under: Budget Friendly Recipes, Dairy Free Meal Ideas, Feature, Gluten Free Recipes, Lunch Recipes, Quinoa Recipes, Salad Recipes, Side Dish Recipes Tagged With: popular recipes

    Comments

    1. Alicia says

      May 22, 2013 at 10:50 pm

      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!

      Reply
    2. Shela says

      June 3, 2013 at 11:20 am

      Perfect for my “Meatless Mondays” meal!

      Reply
    3. Laura says

      July 15, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      This looks like the perfect summer salad. Simple and healthy how can you go wrong? Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    4. Heather Grant says

      July 24, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      Thank God I can finally make a lunch for my gluten-free coworker that will fit my diet too!

      Reply
    5. Kim says

      May 24, 2014 at 11:47 am

      That’s two cups already cooked quinoa; correct?

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad- Under $5 | livingwellinalamancecounty says:
      May 3, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      […] – 2 main dish servings, 4 to 6 side dish […]

      Reply
    2. This Week in the Charming South Kitchen: May 26 « says:
      May 26, 2014 at 12:04 pm

      […] Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad with those fresh strawberries I picked this weekend at Southern Belle Farms.  Also to celebrate […]

      Reply
    3. Summer Salad Series: Summer Fruit Salads | Intelligent Domestications says:
      May 30, 2014 at 12:33 am

      […] over at $5 Dinners created this light, tasty but filling combination of ingredients. The price is right coming in […]

      Reply

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    I’m Erin Chase…

    Also known as the
    $5 Dinner Mom.

    I have a little problem. I cannot make a meal that costs more than $5.
    It’s a fun challenge,
    and my pocketbook
    thanks me.
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