Sometimes my food ideas come from strange places and motivations.
Yesterday I realized I needed to post one more Laughing Cow idea this month. So I wanted to come up a with a fun cheese inspired lunch. Then I opened the pantry and saw the quinoa. I don't know why I don't use it more, it's SO good! My brain starts churning…
Why not cook some up, and toss with a cube of cheese. Oh! I know I'll add in some dried cranberries. They go so good with Mini Babybel Light. Oh poo! Only a few dried cranberries left. Hmmm I can add a couple of raisins to make up the difference. You know what goes good with cheese and raisins? Sunflower seeds. Hey this is starting to sound like trail mix. Why don't I add in some almonds. Oh look at that! I have dried apricots!
Before I knew it I was eating this…
And it was out of this world good!
Every bite was like a little surprise. Sometimes a creamy cube of cheese, sometimes a sweet raisin, sometimes both! The texture of quinoa coated spinach leaves with my simple dressing was great by itself but the variety of textures and flavors was a fun twist. 
Here's what I did.
- ¼ cup uncooked quinoa (43g)
- 4oz of chicken broth (water would be fine)
- 2 cups of raw spinach (85g)
- 10g of dried cranberries
- 1 Mini Babybel Light cut into cubes
- 10g of Raisins
- 15g of Sunflower Seeds
- 2 apricots chopped
- 5 almonds chopped
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp honey
- pinch of salt
Put the quinoa and broth in a small pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer.
While that's cooking prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Place the spinach, vinegars, honey and pinch of salt in a bowl. Once all the broth is absorbed by the quinoa, add it to the bowl of spinach and toss. The leaves will wilt a little and everything will be coated in the dressing.
Add the dried fruit, seeds and nuts.
Toss everything together and enjoy!
| Servings | Amt per Serving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entire Recipe | |||
| Calories | Fat | Fiber | WWPs | |
| 445 | 16g | 8g | old: 9 | new: 12 |
| Sugar | Sat Fat | Carbs | Protein | |
| 26g | 3g | 63g | 18g | |
Disclosure: I've partnered with The Laughing Cow. Click here for more info and click here to see all my ideas using the Laughing Cow!
This salad looks so yummy...I love how you come up with a meal just based on what you have on hand and it all works. I enjoy your videos also...great website:)
OMG lol Thanks for the heads up. I read that post at least 5 times, never caught it never would have. I'm such a bad editor!
Trader Joe's will defintily have quinoa. That's where I first found it too.
Good luck!
This sounds fabulous!!!! Just beginning to cook with quinoa in our home and having a tough time finding it in the stores. Heading to the new Trader Joes next week... Fingers crossed!!
Love your posts and your sense of humor 😉 that being said LOL check out where you found the quinoa.... (Panty..... Instead of pantry 😉 ) I'm trying not laugh loudly as I am up feeding my four month old LOL that is so something I would do!!!
Have a great day!