Grilled Nectarine Mint Quinoa Salad (Printable Version)
Sweet grilled nectarines meet fluffy quinoa, fresh mint, and tangy citrus dressing for a vibrant summer dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Fruits & Vegetables
04 - 3 ripe nectarines, halved and pitted
05 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced
07 - 1/4 small red onion, finely sliced
→ Herbs
08 - 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
→ Toppings
10 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
11 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds or pistachios
→ Citrus Dressing
12 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Combine quinoa, water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and allow to cool completely.
02 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush cut sides of nectarine halves with olive oil. Place nectarines cut side down on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until charred and caramelized. Flip and grill for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice into wedges.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
04 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooled quinoa, arugula, cucumber, red onion, chopped mint, and parsley. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Arrange grilled nectarine wedges over the salad. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds or pistachios. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The warm grilled nectarines create this incredible contrast against cool crunchy vegetables that nobody expects but everyone loves
- It somehow tastes fancy and effortless at the same time, like you spent hours when really it was just thirty minutes of grill magic
02 -
- Grilled fruit cools faster than you think, so let those nectarines rest just a few minutes before slicing or they will fall apart completely
- The salad actually gets better after sitting for 20 minutes, but do not add the nuts until right before serving or they will lose all their crunch
03 -
- Pat the nectarines dry before brushing with oil to get better char marks and prevent sticking
- Taste the dressing before tossing it with the salad, adjusting the sweetness or acid as needed