Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa

Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa
Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa
Try this Mega Crunchy Romaine Salad with Quinoa recipe, or contribute your own.
  • Preparing Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Served Person: 4
vegetarian white meat free tree nut free nut free gluten free red meat free shellfish free contains honey dairy free pescatarian
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1/3 upolive oil
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
  • 2/3 upuncooked quinoa rinsed
  • 1 small head of romaine (about 11 ounces) or one 5-to-6-ou chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup shredded carrots (i used 2 large carrots turned into ribbons with a julienne peeler and roughly chopped)
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage (green or purple) or broccoli slaw
  • 1/2 cup chopped radishes
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice (about 2 medium limes)
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2 medium cloves garlic roughly chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or regular chili powder
  • Carbohydrate 9.28301666128207 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Fat 0.261149999775 g
  • Fiber 0.506416649556655 g
  • Protein 0.108174999979881 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.029249999968932 g
  • Serving Size 1 1 salad (99g)
  • Sodium 4.1336458364927 mg
  • Sugar 8.77660001172541 g
  • Trans Fat 0.039980624993907 g
  • Calories 38 calories

To cook the quinoa: Combine the quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat a bit to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water, about 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat as time goes on to maintain a gentle simmer.Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let the quinoa steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and set aside to cool.To toast the sunflower seeds: Combine the sunflower seeds and olive oil in a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently (careful, they'll burn), until the seeds are fragrant and starting to turn lightly golden on the edges. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.In a large serving bowl, combine the prepared romaine, carrots, cabbage, radishes and cranberries. Once the quinoa and sunflower seeds have cooled, add them to the bowl as well.To prepare the dressing: In a blender or small food processor, combine all of the ingredients and blend well, pausing to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste, and adjust as necessary—it should be zippy, but if it's overwhelmingly tart, add a bit more honey. If you'd like a little more kick, add another ¼ teaspoon chili powder.If you'll be serving the salad all at once, drizzle in enough dressing to lightly coat the salad once tossed (you might not use all of it), and toss to combine. If you intend to have leftovers, store the salad separately from the dressing, and toss just before serving.