Broccoli and Quinoa Salad

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Ingredients

Kosher salt

½ cup dried white or red quinoa, rinsed

2 small or 1 large head of broccoli, stalk end trimmed (about 1 pound)

6 pitted dates (preferably not Medjool), chopped

3 scallions, thinly sliced

4 ounces sharp cheddar, cut into ¼-inch pieces (about 1 cup)

⅓ cup salted, roasted almonds, chopped

1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

¼ cup olive oil

3 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice

2 eggs - soft boiled

 

Directions

  1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. You’re going to cook the quinoa like pasta, so the exact quantity of water doesn’t matter—just make sure saucepan is at least half full. Add ½ cup quinoa and return to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook at a gentle boil or lively simmer, uncovered, until you start to see the curly tail separate from the individual grains, 12–15 minutes. Even though you’re cooking the quinoa uncovered, you’re going to use the lid later, so make sure it’s within reach.

  2. Taste quinoa and make sure it’s tender. If it’s still a little crunchy, cook another 2 minutes, then taste again. Once tender, drain quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer–keep saucepan close at hand–and shake off as much excess water as possible. Turn off your stove.

  3. Immediately dump drained quinoa back into saucepan. Return to stove and cover, placing 2 layers of paper towels underneath lid. The paper towel is there to absorb liquid as quinoa continues to steam, making it fluffy instead of wet and soggy. Let sit on stove (make sure the burner is turned off) while you assemble the rest of the salad.

  4. Hold head of broccoli by the stalk in your non-dominant hand over a large bowl. Rotating the stalk as you work, use your knife to shave off thin layers from the floret end, holding knife almost parallel to the buds and taking off just the tiny buds at first. Then use knife to shave off thin layers of the florets until you reach the thicker stems.

  5. Toss in 6 dates, 3 scallions, 4 oz. cheese, ⅓ cup almonds, 1½ tsp. red pepper, and quinoa. Add several generous pinches of salt and toss to combine.

  6. Add ¼ cup oil and 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and toss to combine. Taste and add more salt, if needed.

Recipe from Bon Appetit