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Hello and Happy day to you, my lovelies!
How’s your week going so far? I know everyone’s saying this… but MAY… whoa. How did we get here so fast? It’s wild.
Speaking of wild! Life has been insanely busy on this end lately.
Honestly, I love it that way. A full schedule helps keep my wacky brain in check, but also makes it kind of hard to keep my diet on track.
Just to be clear, when I say diet, I don’t mean like diet diet.
No-way. Not for me. No thanks.
My definition of diet is pretty plain and simple: eat some dang vegetables and fruit everyday. I do it because I love my body and it’s the kind thing to do.
I also do it because it’s damn delicious done right.
Since we’ve been go-go-go here all week, and it doesn’t look like that’s slowing down anytime soon, I made this quick and gorgeous salad for on-the-go meals that shine!
A meal this pretty, flavorful, and quick certainly deserves a seat at your table! So go on and welcome Spring with a sassy little salad.
Your body will totes love you for it.
Asparagus, Avocado, and Orange Quinoa Salad with Sesame – Mint Vinaigrette – Baker by Nature
Serves 4
Ingredients:
12 oz fresh asparagus, ends cut off and chopped into 2 inch pieces
1 large, ripe avocado, cut in half, pitted, and sliced thinly
2 oranges, sliced (blood oranges are gorgeous if you can still find them, if not any kind will work)
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
Cook your quinoa according to package details. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare an ice bath for your asparagus and bring a pot of water to boil. Once water is at a rapid boil, toss in asparagus and cook for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer to the ice bath so it doesn’t over cook. Once quinoa and asparagus are cooked, combine them in a large serving bowl and toss with 3/4’s of the vinaigrette. Plate the salad and top with sliced avocado and orange. Add an additional tablespoon or so to the top of every salad, then serve immediately.
For the Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup red onion, chopped roughly
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon raw honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sesame oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Pour 3/4 of the dressing over quinoa and toss well. Use the rest of the dressing to top the plated salads.
Holy smokes, you are really on a roll this week. This salad looks so fresh and healthy! And so bright and summery too! Exactly what we need (especially here in Chicago, where “spring” is loosely defined as “winter part deux”).
That sesame mint vinaigrette must be amazing… Sounds delicious!!!
Such a pretty salad! 🙂 I love asparagus, avocado and blood orange. Yum!!!
Happy you don’t just bake! Could this look any better?! Not. Thanks for the deliciousness 🙂
The colors in the salad are so vibrant! It’s almost too pretty to eat!
This recipe came in the nick of time! I am trying to eat healthier and this salad looks bursting with flavor.
How did we get to May?! I can’t believe it. I love this salad, Ashley! Everything about it.
Woah…girly! You really have been busy here. So many new posts since I last checked in. Thats awesome and browsing around will keep me salivating all day long.
Love your definition of diet. You rock!
Can’t believe it’s May already too! Wow, this salad looks absolutely delicious! Asparagus, avocado, quinoa with mint vinaigrette? Yes please! 🙂
Oh my god, I am on the exact same diet. It’s working out pretty well!
I’m all about avos, asparagus and healthy salads with flavor that goes “BOOM”! Seriously, this is a salad of my dreams. LOVE red quinoa and I bet the sesame and citrus notes are the “flavor glues” that hold everything together. BRAVO, girl! You are truly amazing and your recipes this past week prove it! So happy this salad is in my life now. Thank you! Pinning… xo
My fridge and pantry are teeming with asparagus and avocado right now… this sounds like it would be an excellent side dish for dinner tonight! The vinaigrette really does it for me though 🙂
I’m still getting my fill of fresh asparagus while I can, one of my spring favorites!
You are so creative in your wonderful salads 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
All the delicious fresh flavors in this would make me feel like a million bucks! Major yum.
I, too… cannot believe it is MAY already! 4 months of 2013 are gone! It’s crazy.
What a flavorful dish! I love cooking with quinoa, but I don’t do it nearly enough. This one is being saved!
This looks delicious AND healthy which is always a winner!
It’s almost mid-way in 2013!! Unbelievable!!!
And you’ve made something that has all of my favorite ingredients. Yummy and healthy!!
Love EVERYTHING about this salad. The vinaigrette sounds insane! Spring makes food so celebratory, don’t you agree?…. YUM! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! And the vinaigrette really is major!!!