• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hunger Thirst Play

Delicious Recipes for Every Season

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • eBooks
    • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Hunger

    Winter Quinoa Salad

    By Lauren on December 9, 2016, Updated April 27, 2021 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Quinoa with sweet potato, dried cranberries, spinach, gorgonzola & walnuts

    Quinoa + Sweet Potato + Spinach + Dried Cranberries + Gorgonzola? Sold. About two years ago I jumped on the quinoa train and never looked back. It's fluffy and springy in texture, a complete protein (contains all the amino acids which cannot be produced by the body) and is actually a seed not a grain. Who knew?!

    Beyond the science, it's a great replacement for rice or pasta during our weeknight meals. But even more, for get togethers or to make in a big batch and use throughout the week. Though incredibly messy to feed a toddler quinoa, Shea gives it two thumbs up too...well if she gave thumbs up, but she gives high fives so let's say she's gives it two high fives.

    Quinoa with sweet potato, dried cranberries, spinach, gorgonzola & walnuts

    The combination of ingredients for this dish should be credited to my dear friend Becky, who threw together a random combination of items in her refrigerator and pantry, brought this masterpiece to our Best Friends + Babies Day, and now is required to bring it every get together. Though the original recipe calls for couscous rather than quinoa, feel free to use whichever suits your preference. I've never been a huge fan of couscous and I just really love the texture and added nutritional benefits of quinoa, so I switched it up! That's the beautiful thing about food, you can always take a recipe and edit it to suit your preferences!

    Winter Quinoa Salad

    Let's talk ingredients real quick. You can certainly cook your quinoa in regular water, but cooking in either vegetable or chicken stock is a win for flavor. Once the little tails come out, your quinoa should be good to go!

    If you're feeling lazy or don't want an extra dirty dish, you can cook the sweet potatoes in the skillet after sautéing the onions. Remove the onions, add additional olive oil and cook on medium high, stirring frequently and covering half way. They will be a little mushier than if baked, so just know that in advance if you're not big on mushy textures.

    The walnuts can be glazed or plain, if using glazed the Emerald brand is my personal favorite and easy to find. Which brings us to cheese...glorious cheese...I like gorgonzola. Similar to blue cheese but not quite as strong and stinky. It also melts just a bit easier, so when I make this recipe and heat it up before serving the cheese is just the right amount of melty - soft but not gooey. Blue cheese (or close relative relatives) not your thing? Substitute any other crumbly cheese, such as goat cheese, to your preference and enjoy your Winter Quinoa Salad!

    Quinoa with sweet potato, dried cranberries, spinach, gorgonzola & walnuts

    Quinoa Salad

    Healthy and delicious, this quinoa salad is full of savory and sweet flavors!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Easy quinoa salad, Warm quinoa salad, Winter quinoa and veggggies
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 20 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins
    Servings: 8 to 10 servings
    Calories: 310kcal
    Author: Lauren
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups rainbow quinoa
    • 4 cups stock (vegetable or chicken)
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 large yellow onion (½" dice)
    • 1 large sweet potato (diced)
    • 1 ½ cups baby spinach
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup glazed walnuts (chopped)
    • ½ cup gorgonzola cheese

    Instructions

    • Rinse quinoa and add to a large saucepan. Add stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to low or medium-low so that the liquid is at a simmer. Cook 10 minutes until tender and the little spiral "tails" appear.
    • In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
    • On a lipped sheet pan or in a baking dish, add sweet potato and coat with remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and roast at 375F for 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Set aside to cool.
    • In a large bowl, combine quinoa, onions, sweet potato and spinach. Stir to combine. Ingredients should still be slightly warm so spinach will wilt. Add dried cranberries and walnuts, stir to combine.
    • Top with gorgonzola cheese.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4846IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

     

    « Bandita Brighton
    Have Baby, Will Travel: Five Days in Denver »
    180 shares
    • Share9
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my husband, two kiddos, English bulldog and our two local restaurants. Life is busy AND delicious!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Low-Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
    • Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Arrabbiata
    • Whole Wheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
    • Iced Lavender Matcha Latte

    Get my Thanksgiving eCookbook!

    Footer

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Inquiries + Collabs
    • Subscribe for updates!

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes

    Our Restaurants

    • Bonefish Harrys
    • Portsmouth Feed Company
    • Thirsty Butcher Hospitality
    • Restaurant Photography

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hunger Thirst Play

    Copyright© 2023 Hunger Thirst Play · Privacy Policy ·