Quinoa, Sweet Peppers and Fig Salad
Quentin Bacon
- Yield: 4 servings
Quinoa's earthy flavor is enhanced with sweet figs and dried currants. The currants get softened in sherry first, so they become buttery and musky.
Ingredients
- 1cup dry sherry
- 1/2cup dried currants
- 1cup quinoa
- 2 1/2cups chicken broth
- 2 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
- 1cup fresh figs, stemmed and chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1/4 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3cup citrusy vinaigrette
Instructions
- Pour the sherry into a medium bowl. Add the currants and set aside to rehydrate for 20 minutes. Drain the currants, discard any remaining sherry, and set the currants aside.
- Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the quinoa and return to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Scrape the quinoa into a large bowl and set aside to cool.
- Stir the scallions, figs, carrots, bell peppers, and cilantro into the cooled quinoa. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days. The salad can be served cold or at room temperature.
Reprinted with permission for Lorena Garcia’s New Latin Classics: Fresh Ideas for Favorite Dishes (Ballantine Books, 2011).