Crispy, Crunchy, Apple-Quinoa Salad Recipe

Name: Crispy, Crunchy, Apple-Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, uncooked; 1 tablespoon sour cream; 2 tablespoons walnut oil; 1-1/2 tablespoons excellent balsamic vinegar (orange or tangerine flavored if possible); 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger (in bite sized chunks); 1 seedless, easy-peel mandarin type orange (Satsuma, mandarin, Clementine); grated zest from the orange; 1/2 cup walnuts (pieces or halves); 2 crisp apples; 1 tablespoon chopped parsley; romaine or other leaf lettuce

Servings: persons

1 cup quinoa, uncooked
1 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoons walnut oil
1-1/2 tablespoons excellent balsamic vinegar (orange or tangerine flavored if possible)
1 tablespoon crystallized ginger (in bite sized chunks)
1 seedless, easy-peel mandarin type orange (Satsuma, mandarin, Clementine)
grated zest from the orange
1/2 cup walnuts (pieces or halves)
2 crisp apples
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
romaine or other leaf lettuce

1
Cook the quinoa, (I often use 1 cup water and 1 cup chicken stock, with 1 teaspoon salt)
2
Grate the zest from the orange. Separate the orange sections, removing all pith and skin
3
While the cooked quinoa is still warm, stir in the sour cream, walnut oil, balsamic, crystallized ginger, and orange zest. Refrigerate.
4
Toast walnuts at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Let cool briefly
5
Leaving skin on, remove core from both apples. Chop one apple into bite-sized chunks. Cut the other into thin slices.
6
Add the apple chunks, orange sections, walnut pieces, and parsley to the quinoa. Stir to blend.
7
Serve the apple-quinoa salad on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves. Arrange apple slices decoratively around the quinoa.

199

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup quinoa, uncooked, 1 tablespoon sour cream, 2 tablespoons walnut oil, 1-1/2 tablespoons excellent balsamic vinegar (orange or tangerine flavored if possible), and more.

Yes, Crispy, Crunchy, Apple-Quinoa Salad falls under the Salads category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Crispy, Crunchy, Apple-Quinoa Salad

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions