Before we get to this tasty salad, I’m sure you’ve already seen the news that Google Reader is being discontinued. And, if you’re anything like me, you probably freaked out a little. I follow way too many blogs (hey, they’re written by some of my best friends!) and using a feed reader is the only way I can keep them organized. There are tons of alternatives out there, but I really wanted something that has a feature similar to Google Reader’s “next” button, which brings you right to each blog rather than showing the post within the reader interface. I spent the weekend testing out various options and found that I love BlogLovin. I actually started an account there a long time ago, but never got into it because it was too difficult to import all of my blogs. That problem is solved now, and you can import all of your Google Reader subscriptions in one click. Once you click on a new post, it brings you to that blog and puts a little bar across the top of your screen so that you can just keep hitting “older” and scroll through your new posts. Love it! If you’re looking for an alternative, definitely check it out! And of course, I’d love it if you follow me on Bloglovin, too.
OK, back to the food. Last Saturday I went a little overboard at lunch (I had a craving for a gooey cheese quesadilla that I needed to satisfy!), so I wanted to make something a little lighter for dinner to balance it out. I wandered around Shop Rite without much of a plan, just pulling whatever healthy ingredients sounded appetizing into my cart. I ended up making an easy carrot, quinoa and pistachio salad. I served the salad with pita bread and baba ganoush, for a simple, yet very satisfying meal.
The salad itself is lovely, and really highlights the sweetness of the carrots and the grassy-clean flavor of the parsley. With crispy carrots, creamy chickpeas, salty pistachios, and chewy raisins, the salad really has a little something for everyone! The dressing, with roast cumin and fresh lemon juice, is the perfect combination of earthy and bright flavors.
The salad is great right away, but really excellent after it’s been refrigerated overnight. I ate the leftovers for lunch all week, and the salad only improved with age. I can’t wait to make it again!
This brightly flavored salad is great either on it's own as a light meal or as a side dish. It can be eaten right away, but it best after the flavors have had a chance to mingle in the refrigerator overnight.
Carrot, Quinoa & Pistachio Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
Instructions
Looking for more quinoa recipes? Try one of these!
- Chipotle Quinoa Fritters
- Mushroom Quinoa Stuffing (Renee’s Kitchen Adventures)
- Smothered Chicken and Quinoa Skillet
- Southwest Quinoa Salad (Stuck on Sweet)
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
This is a delicious salad Lauren. I make quinoa every week with different vegetables for variety. The carrots will add a nice sweetness and I do like the addition of pistachios – I like adding nuts when ever I can. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Amy @swiss miss in the kitchen says
I was looking for a carrot salad and thanks to you I found the perfect recipe!! Thank you for sharing, this salad looks amazing!!
xox Amy
Aggie says
I’ve been putting pistachios in everything lately!! They are one of my favorite nuts (well, I pretty much love all nuts 🙂 ).
Thanks for the heads up on the import feature on blog lovin!
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
I love how fresh and pretty this salad looks, Lauren. I’ve no clue about Google Reader, but eventually I’ll figure out blog loving–hopefully before it too goes away!
Thanks!
Finla says
I heard too about the reader, will check out the link you gave.
I have a pack of quiona here but not yet used it, this salade looks so healthy and yumm.
Joanne says
Now that spring (and summer) is on the way, grain salads are appearing at my table more and more! I’m loving the flavors in this one!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
I was craving veggies (and lemons!) all weekend, so you KNOW that means spring is almost here!! I really want to make an effort to eat more grains in the next few months (and hopefully beyond that)