Quinoa, Beet, and Arugula Salad

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This quinoa beet salad with tangy crumbled goat cheese is hearty enough to be a vegetarian meal on its own but also pairs perfectly with any main dish.

Ingredients

1/2 pound beets, peeled and sliced
2 cups water
1 cup red quinoa
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
3 ounces arugula, chopped
2 green onions, sliced

Directions

1 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer; cover pan and bring water to a boil. Add beets, cover pan, and steam until just tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
2 Place 2 cups water and quinoa in a saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl.
4 Remove quinoa from heat, then immediately add 1/2 of the vinegar dressing while fluffing quinoa with a fork; reserve remaining dressing. Cover and refrigerate quinoa until cool, at least 1 hour.
5 Stir goats cheese, arugula, green onions, beets, and remaining dressing into cooled quinoa mixture. Toss lightly before serving.