This Power Grain Salad Could Transform Your Health Today

The Power Grain Salad is here to help you bulk up, but in a healthy way! It’s got muscle-building, super nourishing quinoa, protein-packed cashews, and sweet dried apricots and cherries to keep things exciting (without bringing on the guilt)! A healthy, tasty honey vinaigrette keeps this Power Grain Salad light and exciting, too! Getting into shape or just shedding a few pounds has never been so tasty!

Ingredients

For the honey vinaigrette:

• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the quinoa salad:

• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup quinoa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cashews, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced in thin slivers
• 1 cup fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted and halved, or 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small head butter lettuce, torn

Directions

Step 1 -In a small bowl, add the ginger, the honey, the vinegar, the lime juice, and the garlic and whisk to combine.

Step 2 -Slowly stream the olive oil into the ginger mixture, while whisking constantly, until smooth and emulsified.

Step 3 -Season the dressing with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper.

Step 4 -In a medium saucepan, add the water, the quinoa, and the remaining salt and stir to combine.

Step 5 -Place the saucepan on the stovetop and bring the quinoa mixture to a boil.

Step 6 -Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the saucepan.

Step 7 -Simmer the quinoa mixture until the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.

Step 8 -Transfer the saucepan from the heat and let it stand for 10 minutes.

Step 9 -Fluff the quinoa with a fork.

Step 10 -In a large bowl, add the quinoa, the cashews, the apricots, the cherries, and the red onions and toss to combine.

Step 11 -Add the lettuce and toss lightly to combine.

Step 12 -Drizzle 1/2 cup of the dressing over the salad and toss again.

Step 13 -Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.