Apple and Kale Quinoa Salad

A healthy quinoa salad perfect for the holidays.

When the holidays come around it can be fairly nerve wracking for someone who eats gluten-free and dairy-free. You may ask yourself, what am I going to eat? Am I going to have to bring my own food to all the holiday parties? Am I going to starve?

Don't worry. Don't beat yourself up. Don't slave away in the kitchen.

Relax. 

Enjoy yourself. Spend time with your family. You work hard and you deserve this time to take a break.

Although it may seem scary entering the holidays and eating gluten-free and dairy-free, don't fret. You have options. Tons of options. And healthy options at that.

A delectable quinoa dish with apples and kale.

I mean, think about it. All those traditional holiday appetizers, snacks, finger foods and meals are loaded with gluten and dairy. This is a plus for you, dear reader. A plus, you may wonder? Yes, definitely a plus.

While all your friends and family are snacking on those calorie, fat and sugar laden goodies, you'll be enjoying healthy and just as delicious treats that are both gluten and dairy-free! You're the lucky one. You won't have to be nervous about packing on the oh so dreaded holiday pounds. Feel happy with yourself that you're going to be the one everyone else is jealous of, ringing in the New Year with the same sized waistline.

Be totally guilt free this holiday season. Share this quinoa salad with your family & friends.

What is better then quinoa and kale? Not much.

Toasted pepitas add a bit of crunch (and extra protein) to this yummy quinoa salad.

My secret ingredients? Cinnamon and ginger.

Apple and Kale Quinoa Salad

This year, my office had a potluck for our holiday party. Everyone in the office knows about the Queen of Quinoa, so when the food sign-up list was sent around, I just knew I had to make something with quinoa. I racked my brain trying to think of something super creative to blow them all away, but it was a weeknight, I had a busy week and ended up with this salad. It was perfect. It was delicious. It was completely gone by the end of the day. Definitely a holiday success.

This salad is a spin on my Gluten-free Quinoa Stuffing recipe with different ingredients, but that still carries the awesome flavors of fall. With crisp apples, sweet roasted butternut squash and sautéed kale, this quinoa salad is a blend of amazing textures and flavors. With the subtle nutty flavor of quinoa, mixed with the aroma of toasted pepitas and cinnamon, this recipe was just right for our company holiday potluck.

ingredients:

• 2 cups white quinoa
• 1/2 medium butternut squash, cubed and roasted
• 1/2 bunch organic lacinato kale, thinly sliced
• 3 crispy apples, cored and diced (I used Empire)
• 1/2 pepitas, lightly toasted
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt & pepper to taste

Bring four cups of water to boil on the stove and add the quinoa. Stir for 30 seconds, cover and turn down to a simmer for 8 - 10 minutes.

When the water has been absorbed and the quinoa is nice and fluffy, remove it from the heat and gently toss it with a spoon. Add the kale, butternut squash, toasted pepitas and apple cider vinegar and stir to combine. 

In a separate bowl, toss the diced apple with the lemon juice to coat. Add the lemony apples to the quinoa mixture and throw in your additional spices: cinnamon, ginger, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. 

Mix all the ingredients together gently until everything is combined. 

Serve warm or cool, over greens or as a side. This salad is yummy any which way you choose to eat it.

Serves 8 - 10 as a side