Description
A vibrant and colorful Cosmic Quinoa Salad that’s both delicious and nutritious, perfect for a light meal or side dish. This easy recipe features fluffy quinoa, sweet roasted butternut squash, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a simple apple cider vinegar and maple syrup dressing. It’s a healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian option that’s great for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- For the Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Roast the Butternut Squash: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash cubes with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender.
- Toast the Pecans: Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Chop into small pieces.
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk apple cider vinegar and maple syrup together in a small bowl.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted squash, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and feta. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with fresh parsley. Enjoy your Cosmic Quinoa Salad!
Notes
- This salad is excellent for meal prep and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- For best results, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Consider adding grilled chicken, tofu, chickpeas, or lentils for extra protein.
- Variations include swapping pecans for almonds or walnuts, or feta for goat cheese or blue cheese.
- Add roasted beets or carrots for additional earthy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: Roasting and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg