QUINOA WILTED SPINACH SALAD

Quinoa Wilted Spinach Salad image

Get all the nutritious benefits of quinoa, spinach and cranberries paired with the crunchy texture of nuts in this easy and scrumptious salad. A light, flavorful dressing splashed with citrus tops everything off! -Sharon Ricci, Mendon, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, torn
1/2 cup dried cranberries
DRESSING:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 green onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork., In a large bowl, combine the warm quinoa, spinach and cranberries. For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, orange juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir in onion. Pour over quinoa mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 171 calories, Fat 9g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 136mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.