Quinoa fruit salad is definitely one of my favorite salad recipes. Not only does the salad look stunning, but all of the colors indicate the wide variety of nutrients this salad offers.

This salad also includes an important component many others lack, complete protein. Quinoa is one of the only plant sources of complete protein. This means it has all of the amino acids you need to eat for your body to function at its best. Cooking quinoa is very similar to cooking rice or pasta, and this simplicity has caused it to be a trendy food. There’s no excuse to not give it a try!

Ingredients

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1 cup (or desired amount) Mixed greens, spinach, and/or romaine lettuce

1/4 cup Quinoa (dry)

2 tablespoons Feta Cheese

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

Blackberries and raspberries (desired amount, 1/4 cup each recommended)

1/2 Peach, sliced

1/2 Mandarin Orange

1/3 Avocado, sliced

Your favorite dressing

1. Start by putting ¼ cup of dry quinoa into ½ cup of water. (Quinoa to water ratio is always 1:2, so adjust your amount accordingly). Bring this to a boil.

2. When the water boils, put a lid on the pot, and decrease heat to simmer/low for 15 minutes. While quinoa is simmering, begin tearing lettuce and make a bed of greens.

3. After 15 minutes, remove quinoa from heat, and “fluff” it with a fork and set aside.

4. Begin washing and slicing fruit to add on top of the greens.

5. Add as much as desired of the different fruits. Recommendations are listed, but customize it to your preferences!

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6. Top the salad with quinoa, feta cheese and dried cranberries.

7. Finally, add your dressing, pair with some whole grain crackers, and enjoy!

This salad is perfect to make in the summer, early fall, spring or any time of year. The recipe is very flexible and allows you to add or substitute ingredients based on what is fresh, on sale or in season.

I like to add fresh cucumbers in the summer, or strawberries and blueberries during their peaks. The beauty of this recipe is you can add as much fruit as you please, a wide variety or just a few favorites.

Remember, the more colors you see on your plate, the more complete nutrition you give your body!