Quinoa Salad with Apples and Kale

Last year, the US Apple Association, an educational and advocacy organization for apple growers, asked me to develop some apple recipes that made use of the fruit in novel and delicious ways. One of my favorites was this quinoa salad studded with kale, pine nuts, sautéed apples, and feta (I’m a big fan of quinoa salads).  It’s a little sweet, salty, crunchy, and tangy (the dressing is made with honey and lemon juice). It’s also packed with nutrients, and clocks in at just about 300 calories per serving. It’s a great lunch entree or side dish for early fall. Enjoy!    

Quinoa Salad with Apples, Kale, Pine Nuts, and Feta Total time: 35 minutes; hands-on time: 35 minutes Makes: 6 to 8 servings  Ingredients

• For the dressing:
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 medium shallot
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• For the salad:
• 3 cups very thinly sliced kale (about 1/3 of a standard bunch)
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large tender-sweet apples, such as Fuji or Gala, unpeeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
• 4 ounces crumbled feta

Method In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon, honey, shallot, and salt. Add the olive oil in a thin stream, whisking as you go. Set aside. Put the kale in a serving bowl and set aside. Put the quinoa, water, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan, cover, and set over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and add it to the bowl with the kale.   Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, heat for a minute, then add apples and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, then add sugar and continue cooking and stirring until the apples begin to turn golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add apples to the bowl with the quinoa, then add the pine nuts, feta, and dressing and toss until evenly combined.