Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe

Discover a vibrant twist in this Honey Mustard Quinoa Salad that invigorates your palate with a delightful mix of fluffy quinoa, peppery arugula, crisp apple slices, and crunchy shallots. Drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette, it transforms into one of the most Delicious Salads, perfect for an energizing, healthy lunch.

I recently made a Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad With Crispy Shallots and it quickly became one of my favorite healthy meals. I started by cooking 1 cup of quinoa in 2 cups of water with just a pinch of salt until it turned fluffy.

I then mixed it with 3 cups of fresh arugula and thinly sliced apple, choosing a Granny Smith since its tart flavor pairs so well with the sweet dressing. Its nutritional balance of fibre from the quinoa and vitamins from the apple and arugula made it a smart choice for lunch.

The dish really stepped up with 1/2 cup of crispy fried shallots sprinkled on top, adding a satisfying crunch. For the dressing, I whisked together 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, seasoning it with salt and pepper.

Its simple, delicious and totally healthy.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe for several reasons:

1) I love how its super healthy and full of flavor. The quinoa gives it a light and nutty base while the fresh arugula and apple slices make every bite refreshing. It just makes me feel good when I eat it.

2) The honey mustard vinaigrette is so yummy and easy to whip up. It’s amazing how such simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil can come together to add such a tasty kick to the salad.

3) I really enjoy the texture contrast. The crunchy fried shallots on top give it a fun crunch that makes the salad even more satisfying to eat.

4) Finally, I love how versatile the salad feels. Whether I’m eating it as a side dish or even sorta a light meal all by itself its combination of sweet, tangy, and peppery flavors always hits the spot for me.

Ingredients

• Quinoa: A protein and fiber-packed grain that make the salad hearty and delicious.
• Arugula: Peppery leafy greens that adds a fresh crunch and lots of vitamins.
• Apple: Crisp fruit that bring a mix of sweet and tart flavors along with good fiber.
• Crispy Fried Shallots: Crunchy, savory onion bits that gives extra texture and rich taste.
• Honey Mustard Dressing: A sweet and tangy blend that really pulls the flavors together.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup quinoa (rinsed well)
• 2 cups water
• A pinch of salt (for cooking the quinoa)
• 3 cups fresh arugula
• 1 large apple, thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works great)
• 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste (for the dressing)

How to Make this

1. Begin by rinsing 1 cup quinoa really well and add it to a medium pot with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt, bring it to a boil then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed

2. While the quinoa is cookin, thinly slice 1 large apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great) into bite size pieces and roughly chop 3 cups fresh arugula

3. Once the quinoa is done, fluff it with a fork and let it cool down a bit, so it doesn’t wilt the arugula

4. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey and 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, whisking them until it’s all smooth

5. Season the dressing with a little salt and pepper to taste, remember you can always add more later

6. In a large salad bowl, combine the slightly cooled quinoa, the arugula, and those apple slices, tossing everything gently

7. Drizzle the honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad and give it another good toss until everything is evenly coated

8. Just before serving, sprinkle 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots on top for that irresistible crunch

9. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper if needed, then it’s ready to serve

10. Enjoy your super simple Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad while it’s fresh and crunchy!

Equipment Needed

1. Fine-mesh sieve or colander (for rinsing the quinoa)
2. Measuring cup and measuring spoons (to measure water, vinegar, honey, olive oil, and spices)
3. Medium pot (to cook the quinoa on the stove)
4. Fork (to fluff up the cooked quinoa)
5. Knife (for slicing the apple and chopping the arugula)
6. Cutting board (to safely slice and chop)
7. Small bowl (to mix the vinaigrette dressing)
8. Whisk (to blend the dressing ingredients together)
9. Large salad bowl (to toss all the salad ingredients together)

FAQ

Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of quinoa you could use couscous or bulgur wheat if you want a different texture.
• If you’re not into apples, try using pears or even thinly sliced peaches for a similar sweet crunch.
• You can swap out the arugula for baby spinach or a mix of salad greens if arugula is too peppery.
• If you cant find crispy fried shallots, crispy fried onions work just as well for that savory crunch.
• For the apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar might do the trick if you dont have the real deal.

Pro Tips

1. You can toast the quinoa in a dry pan for a few minutes before cooking it; this really brings out a nutty flavor thats superdelicious, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
2. Make sure the quinoa cools down a bit before you mix it with your greens; pouring hot quinoa over the arugula can wilt it, and nobody wants soggy leaves.
3. Always taste your dressing as you mix it—add salt and pepper gradually; sometimes a pinch more totally makes a difference when balancing the sweet and tangy flavors.
4. If you can, try using homemade crispy fried shallots instead of the store-bought ones; they’re usually fresher and add that extra crunch that really amps up the salad.