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Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad with Crispy Shallots

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (180 g) uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more for topping
  • 5 cups arugula
  • 1/4 cup parsley, freshly chopped
  • 1 large or medium apple (look for a sharp, crisp apple)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
  • shaved or grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Add the quinoa to a medium sized sauce pan and cover with stock. Bring the pot to a boil over a medium-high heat then reduce the temperature to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the quinoa to a bowl so that it cools faster.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking – fry the shallots. In a small sauce-pan over a medium heat combine the sliced shallots and 1/3 cup olive oil. Let the shallots cook for about 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy. Make sure to stir the shallots often to keep them from burning. Once golden remove the pan from the heat.
  3. Place a sieve over a small bowl and pour the fried shallots into the sieve, separating the oil from the shallots. Transfer the shallots to a paper towel lined plate then sprinkle with salt. Set aside. Allow the oil to cool at least five minutes.
  4. Make the vinaigrette: in the bowl with the slightly cooled oil, add the apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper and whisk until combined. Taste and season as you see fit.
  5. In a large salad bowl combine the quinoa, arugula, parsley, apple, pepitas and fried shallots. Toss together the drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. Toss once more to combine. Grind a little more black pepper over the top of the salad and enjoy.