The inspiration for today’s dish actually came from a cookie recipe. When I saw the combination of sweet dried cherries and salty roasted pistachios at the grocery store the other day, I was intrigued by the combination and knew I had to try it out somehow.
Well, since I’m probably the world’s worst baker, and quite honestly don’t have the patience or discipline for baking, I went the salad route. Go figure.
Enter Sweet and Salty Quinoa Salad.
I started out by massaging about 2 or 3 cups of spinach with the juice and zest of two limes, extra virgin olive oil, and some sea salt. I had cooked some quinoa earlier this morning for the occasion (albeit in my rice cooker! I swear, it’s the wonder appliance!) and tossed that in after the spinach had softened and wilted a bit.
Then I added in the stars of the show; some dried cherries and roasted pistachios. Mmmm, sweet and salty never tasted so good.
I ended up adding a bit more lime juice, EVOO, and the juice of half a lemon for a little extra flavor. Oh, and just a little bit of chopped green onion. Oh yah…and some fresh chopped cilantro and basil too. (It’s all comin’ back…I just threw in whatever sounded good!).
Okay, so I know it’s an abundance of pictures. But isn’t it pretty? Food just tastes so much better when it looks nice 
I also cooked up some shrimp in lime juice for an extra protein punch. I added some fresh cilantro and basil once it was done too.
Mmm. I’m kind of jealous of S and K. I want this for dinner! 
As you can see I went heavy on the spinach to bulk up the quinoa salad. I typically do that when I make grain salads, as I prefer more veggie to grain…does that make sense? Summer is all about these cold, light and fresh salads. YUM.
Ok folks, I’m off to enjoy my day complete with yoga, good food, and great company…the best!
Have a good one!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
sweet + salty = party in the mouf!
beautiful dish, Court!
Hi, I love your blog! It gives me a lift when I read it, as cooking and yoga are two very great joys in my life.
I just have to ask (I may have missed this as I just started keeping up), why are you always cooking such damn good food for “S and K” and not getting any yourself?? ;-)
Happy cooking!
Sounds like a great flavor combo! I love salty sweet.
I love that combo – I guarantee you I will be making that dish sometime in the next week and you can be sure I will give you credit for your creativity ;)
Blaine,
S and K have “hired” me to make 5 healthy meals for them a week! I’m a wannabe “personal chef” for the summer =)
Yum! As always, your salad looks great! I’m totally with you on the veggie to grain ratio. :)
Definitely a recipe I’m saving!
What a great combo. I’d love to try that sometime. I bet brown rice would taste great, too!
The quinoa salad looks heavenly! I would have gone crazy and thrown the shrimp right in! :)
I NEED THAT SALAD!!! YUM!
Sweet and salty is a good combo! Have you tried golden raisins with pistachios? Dried cranberries are yummy too :) I’ll have to try them with dried cherries. What a wonderful idea to massage your lettuce. Does the massage work like a dressing?
Quinoa and dried fruit is the best! I do one with quinoa, dried cranberries, carrots, walnuts, and ginger. It’s more sweet than savory, but it is delicious! I want to try yours now too, though!
i love when my food photos look so beautiful – i just wanna take a million pics…
quinoa is a very photogenic dish. its just so cute with its little curly shell.