{Today’s Lunchbox} Asparagus Quinoa Salad

by Valerie on May 19, 2011 · 13 comments

asparagus pesto salad 003

Today’s lunchbox includes lunch and two snacks:

My morning was riddled with indecision. At first I wanted a smoothie for breakfast, which means I would make two smoothies and bring the second one to work with me, but then sampled the asparagus quinoa salad and decided to eat the second serving of the quinoa salad for breakfast (so much for having a lunch for tomorrow ready – ooops).  It really is that good. Lemony and the asparagus and parsley make it taste like Spring.  And yes, after all my indecision, I decided I still wanted a smoothie snack, but by then I had already taken a picture of lunch.  I figure you have seen plenty of green smoothies here that it was ok to skip taking the picture.

I am submitting this recipe to the following two blog events:

seasonal sunday

In fact it is my submission for this  week’s Real Sustenance’s Seasonal Sunday, a weekly event focusing on seasonal eating – my seasonal items are the asparagus and parsley.  

ncr

This month’s No Croutons Required also has a seasonal theme.  As you know from my past participation in this event, every month a different ingredient is chosen and participants must submit a vegetarian soup or salad.  Lisa of Lisa’s Kitchen  and Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes take turns hosting the event. This month Lisa of Lisa’s Kitchen is hosting and she chose asparagus as the theme.  

I am also submitting this recipe to these events next week:

slightly_indulgent_tue 
Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, hosted by Amy of Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free 

realfood003-125x150
Diane’s Real Food Weekly at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang 

Update May 26, 2011 – I was also invited by Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING to submit this recipe to the following new-to-me blog event:


 Asparagus Quinoa Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Soy-Free) – 2 lunchbox servings

  • 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 4 spears asparagus, cleaned of any dirt and tough ends snapped off
  • 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsps parsley
  • 1/4 cup almonds (use raw almonds, or blanched slivered almonds, or almond slices)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup cooked cannelini beans 
  • 2-4 cups spinach leaves

Cook quinoa according to package directions.  While quinoa is cooking, blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes.  Remove asparagus from water and chop into 2 inch pieces. Reserve asparagus tips for garnish.  Place remaining asparagus pieces in food processor with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, almonds and sea salt.  Process until you have a loose pesto consistency.  Place pesto in a bowl, add cooked quinoa and white beans. Combine.  Serve atop spinach and garnished with asparagus tips.

Have a great day!

***************
Chat with me on Twitter or Facebook.
Subscribe via RSS or email.
General Disclosures

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
General Disclosures & Disclaimers

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

1 JL goes Vegan May 19, 2011 at 3:24 pm

What a great salad! I love quinoa and asparagus and the crunch of the almonds is a great addition. Looking forward to trying it.

Reply

2 Carrie May 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm

that reminds me I have REALLY been meaning to make that chocolate mousse!! Sounds like a great reason to roast a few sweet potatoes this week!

Reply

3 Cheryl Harris May 19, 2011 at 9:25 pm

love the quiona! looks perfect for this season and just delish

Reply

4 Tasty Eats At Home May 20, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Love that salad! Yum. Asparagus ranks right up there with my top fav veggies. And I have yet to make that mousse – I'm in the middle of an elimination diet right now and chocolate is off the table…but if/when I can add it back, I SO need to try that!

Reply

5 Gena May 20, 2011 at 2:17 pm

I had a brown rice and asparagus salad at a restaurant last night that was stellar. This is reminiscent!

Reply

6 janet May 22, 2011 at 9:56 am

I love how well asparagus, lemon and quinoa taste together… and how you added almonds and beans. Yum!

Reply

7 withoutadornment May 25, 2011 at 3:34 am

I love quinoa and asparagus, so I can only imagine how tasty this salad is! Lately we've been having quinoa salad about once a week, so maybe I'll try this recipe next time!

Reply

8 poker chip sets May 25, 2011 at 6:54 am

I really like this website and hope you will write more and share a more and more dishes with us. Thanks a lot for your information, It is very much helpful to prepare in weekend.

Reply

9 Olga @ mangotomato May 25, 2011 at 2:39 pm

hi! great running into you on Friday. such a small world 😉

LOVE the quinoa salad with asparagus and pretty much want to dive into the Mexican chocolate mousse.

Reply

10 Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING May 26, 2011 at 9:47 pm

I would love to invite you over to THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS linky party for Summer Salads. This recipe would be perfect, we hope you stop by and link it up! Thanks a million!

http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-weeks-cravings-30-summer-salads.html

Reply

11 Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING May 27, 2011 at 9:07 pm

Thanks for coming back to link up! Next week is Memorial Day BBQ Recipes.

Reply

12 TheIronYou July 8, 2011 at 5:05 pm

This recipe with quinoa looks really really good. I’m gonna try it soon as I’m obsessed with quinoa!
I also recently wrote an article on the health benefits of quinoa, check it out: http://www.theironyou.com/2011/03/more-on-quinoa.html

Peace
Mike @TheIronYou

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: