
Warm quinoa salad with roasted beet, golden leek, sautéed green apple, and creamy mustard dill dressing
An original, balanced warm salad with fluffy quinoa, sweet roasted beet, golden leek, sautéed green apple, and toasted walnuts, finished with a creamy yogurt, mustard, and dill dressing.
Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.
Ingredients
- 170 g white quinoa (enjuagada)
- 480 ml water (for cocer the quinoa)
- 400 g medium beets (peladas and cut in wedges)
- 180 g leek (solo the parte blanca and verde clara, sliced gruesas)
- 180 g green apple (with piel, in wedges finos)
- 40 g walnuts (troceadas)
- 45 ml olive oil (divided)
- 6 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 120 g plain Greek yogurt (for the aliño)
- 15 g Dijon mustard (for the aliño)
- 30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 8 g fresh dill (chopped fino)
- 7 g honey (for equilibrar the aliño)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F.
- 2
Place the beets on a baking tray and toss with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 g (1/3 tsp) salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, until tender and lightly caramelized.
- 3
Meanwhile, place the quinoa in a saucepan with the water and 2 g (1/3 tsp) salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, let rest for 5 minutes, and fluff with a fork.
- 4
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Remove and set aside.
- 5
In the same skillet, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil over medium heat. Add the leek with a pinch of salt and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring, until golden and tender.
- 6
Add the green apple to the leek and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes more with another pinch of black pepper, just until the apple is warmed through and lightly browned at the edges.
- 7
In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, fresh dill, honey, the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 g (1/3 tsp) salt, and the rest of the black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- 8
Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large serving bowl and add the roasted beets, golden leek, sautéed green apple, and half of the toasted walnuts. Add half of the creamy dressing and toss gently.
- 9
Serve the warm salad finished with the remaining dressing spooned over the top and the rest of the walnuts for crunch.
Chef tips
For a cleaner color in the salad, let the beets cool for 5 minutes before mixing. If you prefer more contrast, add the dressing right before serving instead of mixing it all at once.
Substitutions
You can swap the walnuts for pecans for a sweeter flavor. Dill can be replaced with fresh parsley, and honey can be swapped for maple syrup for a more flexible vegetarian version depending on preference.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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