Ready in 20 Minutes
Serves 6
Makes 6 cups
Tags: Italian, Comfort Food, Classic, Easy, Weeknight Dinner
Smoky sweet Charqs Smok’n Tender Jerky brings delicious flavor to this healthy quinoa salad. The combination with crunchy apples, sweet raisins, and toasted sunflower seeds makes for the ultimate tasting experience. This makes a great side dish for burgers and barbecue, or enjoy on its own as a healthy, gluten-free lunch.
Ingredients
¾ cup Quinoa
1 package (3.2 oz) Charq’s Pork Jerky, chopped
1 medium shallot, minced
2 tsp. smoked paprika
¼ tsp. salt
Dash of black pepper
2 cups broccoli florets
1 medium sweet apple (like Gala or Fuji), cored and diced
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds
2 tbsp. honey mustard
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
Procedure
To cook the Quinoa: Combine the quinoa and smoked paprika in a small pot. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the quinoa is toasted, about 7 minutes. Add the Charqs Smok’n Tender Jerky, shallot, salt, pepper, and 1 ½ cups water. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer over low heat until the quinoa is tender, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff, and transfer to a mixing bowl to let cool.
To steam the Broccoli: Clean out the pan you used to cook the quinoa. Pour about ½ inch water into the bottom of the pan. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and steam until tender, about 5 minutes. Immediately drain the broccoli and place into an ice bath to stop the cooking.
To finish the salad: In a small bowl, combine the diced apple, raisins, sunflower seeds, honey mustard, and cider vinegar. Toss well to evenly coat the apples with the dressing.
When the broccoli is cool, drain from the ice bath. Combine the apple mixture with the cooked quinoa and steamed broccoli. Stir well to combine.
Dig in!
