Quinoa Mandarin and Feta Salad

 
So, I had to chuckle a bit at all of the comments and emails I got yesterday, after I posted a little tutorial on Quinoa. I have to admit when I set out to write the post, I wondered how it would be received since Quinoa is a bit of a random and unfamiliar ingredient. Most of you were happy to see the introduction of something new and very healthy. Others were worried that I was going to turn all health food crazy on you. 

Rest assured. 

This blog is about great tasting food in all it’s shapes and sizes! Fabulous tasting food that will please the majority of the people it’s served to. Healthy…and unhealthy alike.  A VARIETY of wonderful recipes are what I hope to provide for you all.  So don’t be worried if you see recipes on the healthier side sometimes. It doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned butter and sugar. 🙂 How could I! They have never done me wrong. 
Except for my exceedingly grand hips and fierce love handles. 
Do you see why a girl like me needs need a little Quinoa in her life?
A person cannot live on butter and sugar alone, my friends.
Thanks for understanding. 
You are so very kind.

That said, today’s Quinoa recipe is super healthy and fabulous to make for yourself to enjoy. You could make it and serve it to your lady and gentlemen friends for lunch. You could make it and snack on it while you stare down the chocolate bars lurking in your pantry. You could make it and count your blessing for fabulous tasting food that is good for you. 

Or, you could just stare at this recipe and wonder when I’ll be getting back to butter, sugar and white flour for goodness sake!
How does Monday morning work for you and your schedule? I’ll be here ready to share a recipe your kids will devour and ask you to make again and again. But for today, my friends. A bit of Quinoa.

This salad tastes best if you build each serving individually and pour the dressing on just before it’s served. 

Let’s make it!

Enjoy!

Quinoa Mandarin and Feta Salad

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Serves: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes total

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• Dressing:
• 1/3 C Mayonnaise (I used Best Foods Light)
• 1/4 C mandarin orange juice
• 2 T soy sauce
• 1 T balsamic vinegar
• 1 t ginger
• 2 T sugar
• 1 t honey mustard
• Salad Ingredients:
• 3 C spinach
• 2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts
• 2 mini sweet peppers
• 1 C cooked Quinoa (Tutorial HERE)
• 1 C Chinese noodles
• 3/4 C feta cheese

Instructions

1. Toss all dressing ingredients in a small food processor, blender or immersion blender cup (which is what you are looking at here.) Blend them all together until nice and smooth.
2. Chop 3 cups of spinach into small pieces. (This picture is only enough for 1 serving.) Divide the spinach into fourths
and lay each fourth onto its own lovely plate.
3. Arrange some mandarin oranges over the top of the spinach followed by some beautiful juicy grape tomatoes.
4. Drain the can of water chestnuts and add some to each plate.
5. Chop some sweet orange or red peppers and place those babies in your salad.
6. Dish about 1/4-1/3 cup quinoa onto each plate. Top it with some crunchy Chinese noodles and a good sprinkling of feta cheese.
7. Pour some dressing over the top and a healthy, fresh, light and delightful plate of wonder is born.

Enjoy!