My Mom recently had the Earl's West Coast Prawn Salad with Citrus Honey Vinaigrette and went nuts for it. I wasn't there to try it but it all sounded good to me. A quick Google search later and guess what? Epicurious has a copycat recipe. No choice here but to give it a go. One of the key ingredients in the salad is quinoa which is pronounced keen-wa. I am sure you have heard of quinoa, it is kind of a big deal these days. Why? Well it is a grain like seed that comes in red, white or black. It's protein content is very high and it is also a complete protein which is unusual for plant based foods. It is also a good source of fiber, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. For bonus points it is gluten free and easy to digest. I like quinoa in salads and less so served as a replacement for rice. I have yet to try it in soup (but I think I would like it). It also makes a great filling for wraps. Make sure you rinse your quinoa before you cook it. The outside has a natural bitter tasting coating, most of it is removed in processing, but it doesn't hurt to give it a good rinse. Don't want you to be put off if it is your first time. CITRUS HONEY VINAIGRETTE: 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tbsp honey 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of salt and pepper 2-3 dashes hot pepper sauce SALAD: 8 cups mixed greens 8 cups baby spinach 2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa (recipe below) 8-12 large strawberries, quartered 1 carrot, peeled and finely julienned 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into cubes 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup toasted pecans 2 tbsp finely minced cilantro 20-30 grilled prawns, preferably awesome British Columbia spot prawns(recipe below) favourite teriyaki sauce or rub, to taste Preparation: CITRUS HONEY VINAIGRETTE (may be prepared and chilled up to 1 week ahead): Combine ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Chill until serving QUINOA (may be prepared and chilled up to 2 days ahead): 1/2 cup dry quinoa Wash quinoa in 4-5 changes of cold water until water runs clear, gently rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add quinoa and gently boil for 10 minutes; drain and rinse under cold water. GRILLED PRAWNS (best prepared just before serving): Preheat clean grill to high; oil grates just before cooking. Toss prawns with enough favourite teriyaki or rub to lightly coat. Grill 1-2 minutes per side, turning once, until prawns are light pink and barely cooked through. SALAD: Combine all ingredients except prawns in a large bowl; toss with enough Citrus Honey Vinagrette to coat. Divide between 4 large plates and top with grilled prawns. Serves 4 Adapted from here. This is a great entree salad with everything you need. We served it with some crusty bread. The dressing is very light and fresh tasting. Perfect to enjoy outside on a hot summer night.
10 Comments
Andrea M
8/9/2011 08:53:41 am
Hi! I'm hearing alot these days about the 'paleo' diet. It goes against conventional thinking about the benefits of grains. The paleo diet says grains are actually bad for you ... some 'paleos' will eat quinoa, but not much, and they steer clear of couscous, which I kinda thought was a healthy choice. What do you think? Why is important to eat grains?
Reply
Simone
8/9/2011 10:36:27 am
Reply
Simone Jennings
8/9/2011 10:46:44 am
Yumm! I'm going to have to try this, I need a new quinoa recipe! Great minds think a like, I just ran a quinoa article last week...and sorry for the phantom comment above, hit the enter key a little too soon! Love the blog!:)
Reply
Tiffany McFadden, RD
8/17/2011 07:46:55 am
@Andrea M: I have heard of the Paleo diet. The premise is that we are genetically predisposed to eat the diet that we did in our hunter gather days, which did not include a lot of grains. The Paleo diet is something I put under the fad diet category because it requires cutting out an entire food group. For most people that is not a sustainable, long-term option. Grains provide us with energy, fiber and B vitamins. I think as long as we are choosing whole grains in appropriate portions we are all good. There is a pretty good critique here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet
Reply
Jessica Brown
11/8/2011 01:39:26 pm
I must try this! I am discovering Quinoa salads as well. I use reduced sodium vegetable broth to cook it, then add a little balsamic vinegrette once its cooled, chopped cucumber, grape tomatoes, peppers and green onion for a greek quinoa salad!! Yum :)
Reply
Tiffany McFadden, RD
11/29/2011 05:51:53 am
@Jessica: I am huge fan of any Greek style salad. I make a Greek pasta salad a lot in the summer, but for sure will be trying it with quinoa instead.
Reply
Sandi
6/27/2013 02:21:23 pm
We made this tonight Tiffany, it was delicious!!! This one is a keeper for sure:)
Reply
8/4/2014 04:52:25 pm
Natural fruits & vegetables are the biggest way to gain vitamins and iron. These all things good for all people but specially for those who do heavy workout in their daily routine. Now everybody should choose the desire natural food according to their taste and mood as every thing having something special quality in own self.
Reply
2/24/2021 02:22:30 am
Maxwell eco Industries is offering a good quality of Biomass Briquettes also we are Briquettes Manufacturer, Exporter & Suppliers from Tamilnadu, India
Reply
2/1/2022 02:34:16 am
Icon Legal Services – we are Best Anticipatory Bail Lawyers in Chennai with 100% success rate with Madras High Court as our bench location.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Tiffany McFadden, RDRecipes
All
Archives
April 2018
|