Recipe: BLT-A Quinoa Salad

The salad I am sharing is simple and is great for backyard entertaining or for meals out of the house. Pack it up in your mason jar and off you go. The jar is also a fun way to serve guests. This is a wonderful recipe for outdoor BBQ’s and picnics.

Ingredients

1 cup dry Quinoa, prepare according to package directions
4 ounces Bacon, diced (I used nitrate free turkey bacon, use your favorite)
1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, sliced in half
a handful of chopped Cilantro or Italian Parsley
1/4 cup diced Green Onion
Avocado, diced and toss with lemon juice
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
1 tablespoon Avocado or Olive Oil
Garlic Salt to taste
Cracked Black Pepper to taste
a few handfuls Micro Greens, Baby Spinach leaves or your favorite Lettuce
a few ounces of Feta Cheese

Directions

Prepare quinoa, let it cool. Mix lemon juice, vinegar and oil with quinoa in a medium bowl. Add the bacon, tomatoes, cilantro and green onion and combine well. Season to taste with garlic salt and pepper. Add more lemon juice and vinegar if desired. Gently mix in the avocado. Plate the quinoa salad and top with mixed greens and some feta cheese before serving.

Notes

I toasted my quinoa with a splash of avocado oil first over medium high heat. This gives it a bit more flavor. Feel free to use black, white or red quinoa.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Bacon, Pear & Blueberry Salad

If there is one thing I love about living in ski country it’s the fact I can eat more. Way more.

I am always outdoors & active all day. I crave slightly heavier foods to keep me going on the slopes. Even just walking here you get a workout (living at close to 10,000 feet gets the heart a thumpin’!)

This sweet/savory salad fuels me up and gets me from bump runs to kiddo school pick up with great energy…

Ingredients

a few handfuls of Salad Greens
a few strips of crispy Bacon
fresh Pear slices
handful of fresh Blueberries
Salad Dressing (I like Balsamic on this)

Directions

Cook your bacon. Chop it up. Dress salad greens with sliced pear, blueberries and salad dressing.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Kale, Chicken, Chickpeas & Bacon

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Lemon Honey Salad Dressing

I love salad dressings that have the perfect balance of flavors. Here sweet & savory combine.

Citrus & honey are meant to be married.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 tablespoons Lemon Juice
3 tablespoons Honey
Sea Salt
Ground Black Pepper

Directions

Shake olive oil, lemon juice & honey in a jar. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Mexican Salad with Avocado & Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Creamy Toasted Sesame Salad Dressing & Dip

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Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Strawberry, Avocado & Asiago Spring Salad

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip

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Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Citrus Quinoa Salad

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Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: BLT Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Quinoa & Veggies Lunchbox Power Salad

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Kale Chickpea Greek Salad

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith