Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad

This delicious and healthy Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad is a great way to celebrate the mid of this summer. And did I also mention the amazing Blackberry Lavender dressing? Well, I just did it.

This recipe wasoriginally published in August 2016. I have taken and uploaded new photos and slighly tweaked the recipe while theblog postitself remains unchanged. 

27 Facts About Quinoa

Talking about grains, there are few of them (like buckwheat or millet) being quite underestimated. Quinoa seems to finally be getting well-known one – more and more people incorporate it into their diet. Did you know that 2013 was declared the International Year of Quinoa? Even though I had occasionally experienced with quinoa earlier, I believe that was exactly that year when quinoa started to be a regular guest in our house.

Sure everyone knows quinoa for being super healthy (and sure delicious) produce. But how many good facts could you remember right now? Personally, I have known that quinoa is rich in iron, zinc, fiber, and high in proteins. What about you? How many health benefits of quinoa can you recall? 5? 7? 12? Perhaps 20?

Well, what about 27 facts?

That’s right, 27. And Helen Nichols knows them all. Moreover, she has generously gathered and summed them up in the article “27 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Quinoa”. In fact, I have counted at least 7 benefits of quinoa I didn’t know before.

There’s another – culinary – benefit. Quinoa is an amazing and diverse product wich can be used in many ways. But what did surprise me while checking my Index of recipes that so far I have posted only one recipe.

I mean, seriously Ben?

Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad

That had to be fixed! Immediately.

Salad. No doubts.

And today I’m so pleased to share this Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad with you. The good news about quinoa that it can be easily paired with many seasonal ingredients. It works great with most berries and fruit so feel free to substitute peaches for nectarines, apricots, pears, cherries, and many other good things. Also, some cheese (feta or goat cheese) would be a nice addition. Nuts? Sure! Seeds? Absolutely!

Lavender Dressing

Needless to say that I am happy about incorporating lavender in this salad. I tried using it in a dressing last year, but that didn’t work out well enough. The secret of a lightly lavender-scented dressing is simple: you need to crush the lavender buds with your fingers first to release the flavor. And don’t you worry – the lavender flavor isn’t overpowering. It’s just a little hint. You will love it!

And I hope you love this delicate and fancy Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad too.

Do you like quinoa? What’s the most amazing way you’ve used it in cooking?

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Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Salads, Summer Salads

Servings

2-4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

This delicious and healthy Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad is a great way to celebrate the mid of this summer.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 2/3 to 1 cup cooked quinoa

• a handful of arugula or salad mix

• 2 peaches or nectarines, pitted and sliced

• 1/2 cup (85 g) fresh blueberries

• 1/4 cup (35 g) crumbled feta

• a few mint or basil leaves, chiffonnade

• Dressing:

• 1/2 cup (75 g) fresh blackberries

• 1/2 tsp dried lavender or less, to taste, rubbed

• 2 tbsp. (30 ml.) olive oil

• zest of 1/2 lime

• few drizzles of lime juice

• a good pinch of salt

Directions

• To make the dressing, slightly crush the lavender buds with your fingers and combine with the remaining ingredients in a blender and whiz up until pureed.
• In a bowl mix together the cooked quinoa, peaches, blueberries, arugula, and herbs. Mix. Divide between plates and sprinkle with the feta. Serve with the dressing.

Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.