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 – this Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.
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?
Quinoa Peach Lavender Salad
Notes
havocinthekitchen.com
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2/3 cup cooked quinoa
- a handful of arugula or salad mix
- 2 peaches or nectarines, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
- some fresh mint or (and) basil leaves, chiffonaded
Dressing:
- 1/2 teaspoon of dry lavender or less, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- zest of 1/2 lime
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- a good pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen, previously thawed) blackberries
Other Possible Additions:
- salted pistachios
- shredded cheddar (smoked cheddar)
- goat cheese
- thinly sliced prosciutto
Instructions
- 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 pistachios, if using.
- Serve with the dressing.
- Enjoy!
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.
All your summer salads are awesome, but this is a GENIUS. Why? Because it has quinoa which is good for everyone. It has peach, which is good for me. And it has lavender which is good for you! Wow. I want this in my life. :)
Anu – My Ginger Garlic Kithcen recently posted…Cheesecake Shots – 4 Ways | Video Recipe
I am just loving this blackberry salad dressing. Big fan of that as you well know! Beautiful salad Ben and lavender is back in the mix! Lavender and peaches sound wonderful together. Have great weekend!
Kevin | Keviniscooking recently posted…Grilled Corn Salad with Hazelnuts
You always make some mean salads, Ben and this one is no exception! I’m a huge fan of quinoa in all the things, so I’m loving that you used it up in here! Plus the peaches, lavender (your fav – I know!) and that Blackberry Lavender dressing – YESSS! So much summertime scrumptiousness going on! AND SO HEALTHY! YUM! Cheers, buddy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Cucumber & Raspberry Mojito
What a beautiful salad again, Ben! I’m still so impressed with all your stunning creations using flowers :)
Quinoa is one of my favourite things as a salad base and it’s especially amazing with fruits! Pinned, this is going to be my next quinoa salad ;)
Evi @ greenevi recently posted…Spinach & Caramelised Onion Pasta
Your summer salads are so stunning, Ben! You’ve got so many awesome flavors going on in there. I’m with ya on the quinoa. Not sure when we discovered it, but it’s one of our go-to side dishes now. Oftentimes, we’re like, well there are some leftovers for dinner but enough to fill us up…let’s make a side dish of quinoa! I love how you used it as the base of this salad! But we might need to talk about the lavender in there…haha!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Rosemary Garlic Smashfries