Vitamin-boosted black quinoa salad -- Salade au quinoa noir vitaminée

February 24, 2011

That's a solo salad. One that I ate by myself today at lunch. One that followed a craving that started when I woke up this morning and that never ended until my imaginary salad landed on our table. In fact, I created the salad, lunch, while running this morning. It resonated with black quinoa, vitamins, grapefruit, vegetables, fennel, radish, refreshing and crunchy.

My salad gave me all of these things. And I felt blessed. For the run. My craving. And my vitamin-boosted lunch, as I liked to call it. Nourishing my body and my soul at the same time. Which, I must say, was quite welcoming after a night with little sleep during which we looked after our sick sweet Lulu.

Try the salad! Really. Even if you find yourself alone at lunchtime, at home, or to pack for the office. I think you'll like it too.

And by the way, you might also like this other black quinoa salad recipe.

Vitamin-boosted salad with black quinoa, fennel, avocado and grapefruit

(For 1 serving)You need : For the salad:

1/3 cup black quinoa
1 kaffir lime leaf
1 pink grapefruit, peeled, white membranes remove and sliced
1/2 avocado, peeled and sliced
1/4 fennel bulb, cored and finely sliced with a mandoline
3 pink radishes, finely sliced with a mandoline
Crumbles of feta cheese (quantity to taste; I added about 2 to 3 tablespoons)
Chopped parsley, to serve

For the dressing:

Sea salt and pepper
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon ginger peeled and finely grated
2 tablespoons rich olive oil
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Steps:

Rinse the quinoa and cook it with a kaffir lime leaf, covered, in 2/3 cup salted water. When the water is absorbed, stop eht heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a bowl, discarding the kaffir lime leaf, to leave to cool.
In the meantime, in a large bowl, combine the slices of grapefruit, avocado, fennel, radish and toss gently.
Make the dressing by adding ingredients in this order: salt, pepper, lime juice, ginger, olive oil. Emulsify with a small whisk and finish with the heavy cream; keep aside.
Add the quinoa with the feta (to taste) and parsley to the vegetables and fruit. Toss gently with the dressing and serve

Le coin français

Salade au quinoa noir vitaminée

(Pour 1 personne)Ingrédients : Pour la salade :

50 g de quinoa noir
1 feuille de kaffir
1 pamplemousse rose, pelé à vif, parties blanches enlevées et coupé en tranches
1/2 avocat, coupé en tranches
1/4 bulbe de fenouil, coupé en tranches très fines avec une mandoline
3 radis roses, coupés en tranches très fines avec une mandoline
Feta émiettée (quantité selon goût; j'ai ajouté environ 2 à 3 càs)
Persil haché, pour servir

Pour la vinaigrette:

Sel de mer et poivre
Jus d'1 citron vert
1/4 càc de gingembre finement râpé
2 càs d'huile d'olive fruitée
1 càs de crème liquide

Etapes :

Rinsez le quinoa et faites-le cuire à couvert dans deux fois son volume d'eau salée (environ 12 minutes). Ajoutez-une une feuille de kaffir pour parfumer le quinoa. Au bout de ce temps, l'eau doit être absorbée. Arrêtez le feu et laissez reposer pendant 5 minutes. Puis transférez dans um bol après avoir retirer la feuille de kaffir pour laisser complètement refroidir.
Pendant ce temps, dans une jatte, mélangez les tranches de pamplemousse, se fenouil, s'avocat, et de radis et mélangez délicatement.
Préparez la vinaigrette en ajoutant les ingrédients dans cet ordre: sel, poivre, jus de citron vert, gingembre et huile. Faites émulsionner et ajoutez la crème; réservez.
Ajoutez le quinoa, la feta (au goût) et le persil aux légumes et fruit. Assaisonnez de vinaigrette et servez de suite.

47 Comments

Léa · March 15, 2011
Béa, what is the name of the red flower and pink one on your photo,pls? they're as beautiful as la petite Lulu.
Miss Crumble · February 26, 2011
Mmmmh j'aurai bien besoin de cette recette vitaminée! plein de bonnes choses de saison (faut qu'on profite des pamplemousses !!), et ça n'a pas l'air trop compliqué à réaliser...! Merci Mme Béa!;D
Maja · February 26, 2011
So healthy and amazing again!
Gen · February 26, 2011
Elle est parfaite cette salade! Elle me correspond totalement! Moi aussi je courre mais je ne pense pas à des recettes à ce moment là, c'est une bonne motivation en tout cas!
Scott at Real Epicurean · February 27, 2011
A truly delicious and original looking salad, I'd love to try this one but doubt it'll be as beautiful as yours!
Rebecca · February 25, 2011
This looks sooo good ! I've been wondering what on earth to do with black quinoa, alors merci beaucoup! Hope la petite gets better soon - in the meantime, bring on the vitamin-filled, delectable recipes! Bisous from Paris
Gourmandises Chroniques · February 25, 2011
Courir en inventant le repas du midi, ça c'est une idée ! Il faudrait que j'essaie, ça me motiverait peut être ^^ En tout cas c'est très réussi !
valérie-jeanne · February 24, 2011
Exercise, good foods are the perfect prescription for staying well this time of year. Spring, where are you? Hope your bébé gets well soon.
Golubka · February 24, 2011
Delicious! Hope Lulu gets well very-very soon!
Jackie (Phamfatale.com) · March 1, 2011
Gingembre, pamplemousse, avocat et kaffir lime: Mmmm Une petite création pour un menu tout simple et absolument délicieux. J'espere que Petite Lulu va mieux. :]
SwissKiki · March 6, 2011
I've made this twice - it's SO delicious!! Lovely textures and the creamy lime dressing is divine. Hope you and Lulu are feeling better soon and I so look forward to your book.
Sprinzette · February 27, 2011
This looks so delicious - I am always looking for more salad ideas so will certainly give this a whirl. Always enjoy returning to your blog, and your beautiful pictures.
Alena & Nika · February 28, 2011
Bea, congratulations!!! You recipe Petits Pots de Crème (http://ginger-blonde.livejournal.com/5710.html) has became the BEST TOP 6 in our russians blog!!! Welcome in http://ginger-blonde.livejournal.com/8816.html and take your award! Thank you! Alena & Nika
Sammie · February 28, 2011
This salad scream welcome Spring! And I would LOVE to welcome Spring!
Catherine · February 28, 2011
Ces photos sentent le printemps! magnifique. Je dois essayer le quinoa noir.
Koek! · February 28, 2011
Crikey, I feel healthier just looking at a PICTURE of that salad...
kitchenvoyage · February 27, 2011
Since I was in school and the teacher speak about the old Incan Empire always I was fascinated with their way to grow the food in mountain terrace, and quinoa was one of the more important due his high protein levels (14g/100g)
Pennie · March 2, 2011
Lovely recipe--always looking for a new way to incorporate quinoa into my cooking. This one combines some of my favorite flavor profiles: kaffir lime, radishes, feta. Can't wait to try it!
Béa · March 14, 2011
Merci Christelle, je suis super contente que tu aies aimé. Tes substitutions sont excellentes et goûteuses. Ravie aussi de t'avoir donné l'occasion d'avoir un bon déjeuner!
christelle is flabbergasting · March 14, 2011
Ta salade est présentement dans ma bouche. Je confirme l'effet boost et le sentiment de manger quelque chose qui est bon pour le corps. Toutes ces saveurs me rappellent le printemps qui arrive *bientôt* *un jour* J'ai seulement remplacé les radis par des dés de concombre frais, la féta par du fromage frais (assez similaire) et le quinoa noir par du quinoa rouge (bref, j'ai vidé mes placards !) : c'est divin !
caroline · February 26, 2011
Je suis ravie que les recettes soient aussi en français!!! Cette salade donne vraiment envie et les photos sont magnifiques!
Speckle of Dirt · March 3, 2011
I have not tried Black Quinoa. Lastnight we had a meditteranean with the white Quinoa, and I'm looking forward to trying the black. What interest, visually!
A Plum By Any Other Name · February 25, 2011
It's lovely how the black quinoa pops against your crunchy salad's backdrop. I recently came across some watermelon radishes: I imagine they would feel quite at home in this recipe! Quinoa ... such a great source of iron too!
Lisa Caplinger · February 25, 2011
So hoping your little one feels better!! And, the salad brings me to spring :)
Valerie · April 24, 2011
I tested your recipe today except for the feta and keffir lime leaf, and it was great. Indeed the black quinoa I was using for the the very first time is more crunchy but perfect for salads like this. A must do.
Maysa Alexandrino · February 24, 2011
UOW! I've never seen black quinoa.. Only white... Very interesting! :-)
nadia · February 24, 2011
it looks delicous! a run how great in the fresh air. i hope lulu feels better soon!
Rachael · February 24, 2011
This looks absolutely perfect.
Rose D., Frenchtown, NJ · February 24, 2011
Salad looks divine. I'm curious to know what "vitamins" you added??
Blandine · February 24, 2011
I would love to have this salad in my lunchbox! - will definitely try it. I hope Lulu will get better soon.
louisabellissima · February 24, 2011
I love your salad. Hopefully I can find some black quinoa, if not what would you recommend to replace it with? Best wishes for Lulu!
sweet road · February 24, 2011
It's so colorful! And a variety of color on your plate is always a good thing... let's say natural color...
Mariana · February 24, 2011
I completely adore that fabrics you are using, esp. the one in the 2nd photo. Where did you get them? :)
cleartrampoline · February 24, 2011
This salad sounds so amazing!
Zoomie · February 24, 2011
Hope Lulu is feeling better soon - there is nothing sadder than a sick child.
Anita · February 24, 2011
That looks so refreshing and very pretty and I'm sorry you didn't get enough sleep. We've been going through that for a couple of weeks.
Julia Powers · February 25, 2011
Hope Lulu feels better soon. Where do you find the kaffir lime leaf? I also live in the Boston area and could not find it or the mace you used in the root vegetable soup a few posts back. I checked at my local grocer, whole foods and the fruit center. Thanks! My daughter and I love your blog-the recipes are delicious and the photos are stunning.
Béa · February 25, 2011
Thanks so much Julia. You can find Mace at Formaggios' in Cambridge (where I bought mine) and I find (not always available, but always ask the person on staff) at Whole Foods in Fresh Pond in Cambridge too. Asian stores (like in Brighton) should always carry it. In Chinatown as well (although I understand that this can be a hike to get there with a child!) Good luck. And thanks again.
Béa · February 25, 2011
Mariana, I bought the fabrics in a fabric store where I live (sorry not online). Louisabellissima, You can use white quinoa if you cannot find the black one. I will have to add, though, that the black variety gives a welcoming crunch that the white variety doesn't. Red quinoa would also be another great option. Rose, No vitamins added beside the vitamins and nutrients that the salad offers naturally. Thanks so much everyone. Valérie-Jeanne, oh yes, now where is Spring indeed? Time to switch seasons, non?
A Canadian Foodie · February 25, 2011
Your artful style is so unique. The dishes I love. I have always been a fabric fiend... and the way you combine the colours and shapes is so perfect and no one could do it this way but you - no one else would have that specific artful eye which is what I enjoy so much when visiting. Many have tried... and that is probably flattering and annoying to you - but, you are clearly the Master. I have been artistically fed today. Ahhh. :) Valerie
Béa · February 25, 2011
Thanks so much Valerie for the kind words. You are definitely making me feel special, and I don't mind ;-)
Rose D., Frenchtown, NJ · February 25, 2011
Thank you thank you for the response Bea! I would have to agree with Valerie--your posts are always so lovely and inspriring. We just sit back with a cup of tea and drink in all the beauty of your recipes, linens, bowls and of course the always gorgeous Lulu!! Have a blessed weekend! ~rose
Eva · March 13, 2011
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just tried this salad for the first time and it was just perfect, even though the Avocado wasn't ready to eaten and I used an apple instead. I'm sure this recipe becomes one of my favourite salads from today on. btw: I love your pictures!
magdalena · February 26, 2011
Lulu! Have some salad and feel better!
Rachel · February 26, 2011
Oh yum. I wish I could take this with me for lunch between classes everyday. Then maybe I'd have an easier time staying awake...!
Lisa · March 4, 2011
Where do you find black quinoa? Do you know if Whole foods have it? I'm not a fan of the white stuff, but that salad looks like my kind of salad - crunchy, refreshing and with some robust flavors - je l'adore! Merci!!
Béa · March 4, 2011
Lisa, yes. Whole Foods carries it ;-) It's definitely a lovely texture. Much better than white quinoa.