Hey lovely people out there… this week has been a doozy so far for me, how about you? I’m not going to wish for the weekend – but can I get a breather!?
Since it’s Winter (kinda… it’s going to be 70 degrees tomorrow in Charlotte)… I thought I would share a hot salad idea that I created tonight that was AMAZING… I had a typical salad for lunch today, however, I was still jonesing for more greens at dinner, but wanted something warm and comforting at the same time.
Enter…The Warm Quinoa Salad.
Usually when it’s cold outside – I eat more cooked foods than in the Spring and Summer. This salad is the best of all seasons – a way to get a little something cooked and a little something almost raw in the same meal…
This recipe uses quick ingredients – Quinoa (15 mins) and jarred organic Eden Foods tomato sauce (2 secs if you have a strong grip)… It’s nice of course if you make your own tomato sauce – but let’s be realistic. It’s Wednesday, I worked until 7pm, it is winter, I want to hibernate (in the sun tomorrow), organic tomatoes are scarce, expensive and frankly not that tasty this time of year… Ok have I made enough excuses yet?!
I could have eaten the whole pan of this salad… Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
- 1 cup of dry quinoa cooked (follow directions on package)
- ½ cup onions chopped
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (more if you like it spicy)
- 2 cups tomato sauce of your choice
- 4-6 cups arugula
- 2 ounces of raw parmesan cheese grated (Optional)
- Preheat a skillet on medium
- Cook onions about 3 mins
- Pour sauce and red pepper into pan and heat sauce with onions well ~ 3 mins
- Combine cooked quinoa into sauce and cook ~ 2 mins
- Add arugula and let arugula slightly wilt ~ 1-2 mins
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve hot
Bon Appetit,
Food Babe
P.S. Next Up – Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!
Just made this and it’s absolutely delicious! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
You are welcome Lauren! So happy you liked it! Even though the recipe title says “winter” – I’m still going to make it all year long
Yum! Yum! Going to try this next week! Thank you for your most delicious and nutritious recipes!
Just made this for lunch and it’s AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow! I already have cooked quinoa in my fridge. Yum!
Just wondering what arugula is?? I’ve never heard of it before.
Hi Kellie – arugula is a green peppery leaf that can be used either raw in salads or cooked like you would spinach. When the leaves are younger and smaller, they are more mild. When it is more mature, it has more of a peppery bite. Absolutely delicious! Hope you try it!