Though it may feel like winter in many places, Spring has sprung!  Flowers are blooming, hummingbirds are chirping, bees are buzzing and, fresh fruits are beginning to show up at your local markets.  Spring is my favourite season!  It is a rebirth and a chance for new beginnings to eat healthier and cleaner.  It is the season of salads!

My go-to recipe is my Spring Quinoa Power Salad! This power salad is full of unique flavors, textures and, colours that you'll find it hard to believe how healthy it is.

Quinoa (KEEN-wah) is considered one of the healthiest superfoods foods in the world!  It is high in fiber and is considered a complete protein and it actually isn’t a grain at all, but a seed. Botanically it is a relative to spinach, beets and, chard.

In 1955 a paper was written about the nutrient rich superpowers of quinoa.  This paper stated quinoa comes close to supplying all the essential life sustaining nutrients needed and that it is a food superstar!

According to the Whole Grains Council, there are around 120 known varieties of quinoa.  The most popular types are white, red and, black.

Since Spring is all about vibrant colours, the Le Creuset rectangular dish makes this Quinoa Power Salad stand out and is a nice addition to any tabletop.  I also love these Le Creuset Light Rainbow Flower Plates that definitely screams Spring!  Le Creuset's spring colours, makes this dish a beautiful ensemble that can be the star at any luncheon, barbeque or party.  All Le Creuset items are NOW ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

The dressing can be made quickly and easily with your Vitamix Explorian E310 blender.  After it has been blended, pour it into an OXO Salad Dressing Bottle for easy drizzling and storing of any leftover dressing.  Both the Vitamix Explorian  and OXO – Good Grips Salad Dressing Bottle are NOW ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME at UNDER $400!!

This tasty Spring Quinoa Power Salad was inspired by My Recipes with some embellishments,   once you have the framework of the recipe, the possibilities are endless!

Spring Quinoa Power Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice (about on lemon)
• 1 Tbsp. agave nectar (I prefer agave as it isn’t as sweet as honey)
• 1 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
• 1 tsp. minced shallots
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup rinsed and drained canned unsalted chickpeas
• 1 cup cooked quinoa.
• 4 cups packed fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup chopped heirloom tomato or grape tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp. roasted, salted sunflower seed kernels
• 1 Tbsp. raw pumpkin seeds
• 3/4 cup thinly sliced ripe peeled avocado
• 2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in Vitamix blender.  Set speed to variable 1 and mix for a couple of seconds, or mix in OXO Salad Dressing Bottle and shake until thoroughly combined.
2. Combine chickpeas, quinoa, and 2 tablespoons dressing and toss well.
3. In Le Creuset dish, arrange spinach, blueberries, tomato, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, avocado slices, Feta cheese, mint, and, quinoa mixture.
4. Mix until well blended.
5. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

Directions for a Packable Salad:

1. Arrange 1 cup spinach in each of 4 quart-size containers.
2. Top each serving with 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup tomato, 1/2 tsp. sunflower seeds, 1/2 tsp pumpkin seeds, one-fourth of avocado slices, 1/2 oz. feta cheese, 1/2 tsp. mint, and 1/2 cup quinoa mixture.
3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle each serving with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of dressing.

Remember to shop at Williams Food Equipment, your largest kitchen supply store in Windsor, Ontario Canada.