Cozy Winter Spiced Quinoa Salad

Today’s Unique Dish: Winter Spiced Quinoa Salad

Welcome, lovely readers! Today, I’m excited to share a cozy and nutritious Winter Spiced Quinoa Salad recipe that’s perfect for chilly days. This dish is a favorite of mine during the holiday season, as it combines warm spices with wholesome ingredients for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• quinoa (200g)
• sweet potatoes (300g)
• dried cranberries (50g)
• walnuts (75g)
• ground cinnamon (1 tsp)
• ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp)
• maple syrup (2 tbsp)
• olive oil (2 tbsp)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)

Kitchen Tools:

• saucepan
• baking sheet
• mixing bowl
• oven

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then dice them into small cubes. Toss the sweet potato cubes in a mixing bowl with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized.

In the meantime, rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitter coating. Cook the quinoa in a saucepan according to package instructions. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Drizzle with maple syrup and toss gently to mix everything together. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the Winter Spiced Quinoa Salad warm or at room temperature. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at dinner parties. The combination of warm spices, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts creates a delightful flavor and texture experience.

Recipe Summary:

Total Weight: 725g

Servings: 4

Serving Size: 181g

Calories per Serving: 320 (approx.)

Clever Tip:

To add an extra layer of flavor, try sprinkling some crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad before serving. The creamy and tangy cheese pairs wonderfully with the sweet and spiced ingredients, elevating the dish to a whole new level.

I hope you enjoy making and savoring this Winter Spiced Quinoa Salad as much as I do. Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite seasonal ingredients and make it your own. Happy cooking!