Blueberry and Mango Quinoa Salad with Basil Lemon Dressing

Blueberry Mango Quinoa Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing Recipe

Serves about 2

For the quinoa: 1/2 cup quinoa
                                       1 cup water

Be sure and rinse your quinoa before you cook it. To get rid of the bitter saponin coating that covers the grains.   Let your quinoa cool before you add your fruits and dressing just before you are ready to serve it. 

 For the fruits and veggies: ½ cup fresh blueberries

                                                                   ½ cup cubed ripe mangoes
                                                                   ½ cup cubed cucumbers
                                                                  1/2 tablespoon dried cranberries

 While the quinoa is cooking, combine the fruits in a bowl and refrigerate till you are ready to serve the salad.

For the lemon basil dressing:  1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

                                                                          2 tablespoons lemon juice

                                                                          1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

                                                                          10 Basil leaves, chopped finely

                                                                         Salt and pepper

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients, except the chopped basil. Refrigerate till you are ready to serve. Chop and add the basil to the dressing just before serving. If you add it earlier, it will go black.

Add half the dressing to the quinoa and mix gently.

Assemble the salad just before serving – toss the quinoa, fruits and cucumbers together. Serve other half of the dressing on the side. Serve  immediately.

The flavors, textures and colors of this salad make an amazing combination. You won't able to get enough of it. Be aware, the recipe is only for "about 2" servings and that won't nearly be enough.