Vibrant Beetroot and Goat Cheese Quinoa with a Honey-Walnut Crunch
Who knew such a simple recipe could be so flavorful? This vibrant quinoa salad is packed with earthy beets, creamy goat cheese, and a sweet-and-crunchy honey-walnut topping. It's perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner, and it's also easy to make ahead of time. The key to this recipe is the combination of textures and flavors. The quinoa provides a nutty base, the beets add a hint of sweetness and earthiness, the goat cheese adds a creamy richness, and the walnuts and honey add a sweet and crunchy contrast. The honey-walnut crunch is also a great way to use up leftover honey and walnuts. This salad is also very versatile. You can add other ingredients to your liking, such as chopped cucumber, celery, or bell pepper. You can also use different types of cheese, such as feta or blue cheese. And if you don't have honey on hand, you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.
Here at Serious Eats, we love a good quinoa salad. It's a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. But we were looking for a way to take our quinoa salad to the next level, and we think we've found it with this vibrant beetroot and goat cheese quinoa salad with a honey-walnut crunch. The inspiration for this salad came from a trip to a local farmers market, where we saw beautiful bunches of fresh beets. We knew we wanted to do something with them, but we weren't sure what. Then we had the idea to pair them with goat cheese, walnuts, and honey. The result is a salad that is both flavorful and visually appealing. We've tested this recipe several times, and we've found that the key to success is to use high-quality ingredients. The beets should be fresh and sweet, the goat cheese should be creamy and tangy, and the walnuts should be crunchy and flavorful. We also recommend using a good quality honey. The honey will add a touch of sweetness to the salad, and it will also help to bind the ingredients together.
Vibrant Beetroot and Goat Cheese Quinoa with a Honey-Walnut Crunch Vibrant Beetroot and Goat Cheese Quinoa with a Honey-Walnut Crunch Vibrant Beetroot and Goat Cheese Quinoa with a Honey-Walnut Crunch Vibrant Beetroot and Goat Cheese Quinoa with a Honey-Walnut Crunch
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup cooked beetroot, diced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
  3. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, beetroot, goat cheese, walnuts, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
  5. Serve immediately or chill for later.
Why It Works
  • The combination of textures and flavors in this salad is what makes it so special. The quinoa provides a nutty base, the beets add a hint of sweetness and earthiness, the goat cheese adds a creamy richness, and the walnuts and honey add a sweet and crunchy contrast.
  • The honey-walnut crunch is a great way to use up leftover honey and walnuts.
  • This salad is very versatile. You can add other ingredients to your liking, such as chopped cucumber, celery, or bell pepper. You can also use different types of cheese, such as feta or blue cheese. And if you don't have honey on hand, you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.