You can have a lot of fun with this salad. Come up with your own
veggies to fill in the spokes of the color wheel, there are so many combinations to try. I thought it up the
other night when I was lying in bed and couldn't sleep. Usually if I
start trying to come up with new ideas for the blog, it's a sure fire
way to fall asleep fast. Only this time it backfired...I spent the
better part of the night tossing and turning trying to think of a blue
food!
Quinoa is an ancient crop from South America, and it's really more of a seed than a cereal or grain. It has a nice firm, nutty texture, and you can substitute it for rice or pasta as a side dish or in cold salads. I try to explore as many new foods as I can, not only because of possible health benefits, but because it keeps things from getting boring.
The dressing is simple but gives this salad a real kick. It's just sesame oil, garlic, lime and mint, but all four of those ingredients are powerful flavors.
Combine all the veggies with the quinoa, breaking up any clumps of quinoa as you toss.. Add salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
In a small food processor, or with a sharp knife, finely mince the garlic and mint.
whisk or pulse in the oil and lime juice. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Toss the dressing with the quinoa, and refrigerate until chilled.
I love this purple cauliflower, it represents the violet part of the spectrum beautifully. Why no blue foods? I've heard one theory that the color blue is an appetite suppressant. Another says that the blue color in nature is associated with poisonous plants and so humans have evolved to avoid it. The pigment itself is apparently difficult to isolate so it doesn't show up in hybrids.
I still think it's kind of a shame that there are no true blue fruits or vegetables. What do you think?
That is so pretty, I eat quinoa about 4 ties a week, I love it, I have it with chillies and butter for lunch.
ReplyDeleteI think there's no blue foods because we instinctively turn away from them as blueness is usually a sign of mould etc, blueberries, hmm, but they're more blue black aren't they?
I almost put blueberries in the salad, but then I didn't think they would taste very good with the veggies...you sound like you have such an interesting diet, I'd love to live at your house!
DeleteWell Sue thanks a lot! I'm going to sit up tonight unable to sleep wondering why there is no blue food! So funny and interesting! I adore quinoa and believe it can be added to just about anything. Hope you have a terrific weekend and a good nights sleep!
ReplyDeleteI think there are some blue carrots, but that's about it. Your salad looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteRainbow salad, hooray! I think blueberries are the only blue food I can think of...but I don't know how well they'd to with cauliflower & quinoa!
ReplyDeleteI love the addition of blue:) Of course we could add borage..if I had some..or Russian Sage? But nothing as bold as this.Lovely!
ReplyDeleteYUM! I'm trying to incorporate a little more quinoa into my diet and this recipe sure does help!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! You just look at that salad and want to take a bite. Are those beet greens that you used?
ReplyDeleteI used baby Swiss chard leftover from my baked goat cheese salads, found it at the faremer's market and I thought it was really pretty.
DeleteSuch a gorgeous salad! I think all the beautiful colors is natures way of telling us that healthy eating is a very good thing. We grew Adirondack Blue potatoes in our garden this year. Although when you cut into them, they do look purple. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, purple seems to be nature's color of choice. I thought later that I could have added some beets after the cauliflower and it would have made it look more blue.
DeleteLOL, do you think blue food would be very appetizing? Your photos are beautiful and the salad sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeletepurple cauliflower is SO lovely! i hate cauliflower with a passion, but color it purple and it seems i change my tune. :)
ReplyDelete