Back in June, the lovely Casey from Tastestopping told me about an exciting venture called Kitchen Play and the progressive party. Kitchen Play hosts a unique virtual Progressive Party where six food bloggers are each assigned one of the following courses: cocktail, amuse bouche, salad, appetizer/soup, entrée and dessert to create using a specified product.
This month all six bloggers, including myself were challenged to incorporate MySpiceSage.com spices and products into six different courses. My assigned course was Salad.
While shopping at MySpiceSage.com, I was blown away by the selection and affordable prices: berries, organics, equipment and more! There are over 400 Spices, Herbs, Seasonings & Cooking Ingredients available. Their spices arrive to you at their peak freshness and quality. Plus, with every order, you can always select a free sample of the spice of your choice during checkout. The site also offers great recipes for inspiration.
One of my favorite features of the site is the categories you can search by: Name A-Z, Cuisine, Taste & Aroma, Popularity, Food Seasoning, Accessories and Gifts. In addition, the site is always promoting a particular spice, herb or seasoning and item is automatically included with every order…for Free. I mean, Hello! I have also experienced great customer service and will be purchasing from MySpiceSage.com in the future.
As I mentioned above, I could not believe the selection and decided that I was going to try something I had never tried but is gaining exposure due to being rich in powerful antioxidants and other nutrients: the Goji Berry. I found the berries to be a good balance between sweet and bitter and the texture is similar to a dried cranberry.
Now, on to the lovely creation I made for this Holiday Party: Quinoa, Apple & Goji Berry Salad with Honey-Curry Vinaigrette
Quinoa, Apple & Goji Berry Salad with Honey-Curry Vinaigrette
Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup goji berries (or dried cranberries)
1 small apple (Macintosh or golden delicious), cut into 1/8-inch-thick wedges
1/4 cup lettuce leaves of choice
Directions
Mix quinoa, pepitas, berries and apple; toss well. Serve over lettuce.
Honey-Curry Vinaigrette (Yield 1 cup)
1/2 cup canola oil
4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon lemon peel powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl or mini-processor and whisk/pulse together until well blended. Store in refrigerator. This vinaigrette also makes a lovely marinade for seafood.
Wait! This is too exciting for you to miss: My Spice Sage is sponsoring a fun contest at Kitchen Play as part of this Progressive Party! You can win one of six $100 prizes so head over to the Contest Page to see what it’s all about!
To learn about participating in the progressive party, visit Kitchen Play and to explore the amazing selection of spices and learn about The MySpiceSage Mission, please visit My Spice Sage.
Sarah says
This is my all-time favourite salad! Absolutely delicious!
Winnie says
I absolutely love how awesome and healthy this salad looks- I think I may even have everything in the house to make it…going to dig deep into my cabinets because I think there are some goji berries in there somewhere!!!
Cajun Chef Ryan says
The quinoa with the Honey-Curry Vinaigrette looks wonderful! And the crunchy texture of the pumpkin seeds matched with the chewy texture of the berries or dried cranberries is great!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
Tammi Kibler @ How Do You Cook Quinoa? says
I’ve linked to my Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad inspired by this post. That Honey-Curry Vinaigrette is excellent – I could eat it on everything.
Jeanette says
What a nice combination of textures and flavors in your quinoa salad. I usually buy my spices from Penzeys, but will have to check out MySpiceSage. I’ve been making quinoa in soups now that it’s getting cooler where I live, and it’s wonderful.
Pam says
I love a good hearty grain salad, and the dressing on this sounds amazing!
Tracey@Tangled Noodle says
Believe it or not, I lugged a bag of quinoa from Minnesota to Manila. I wasn’t sure if I’d easily find it here and I certainly wasn’t about to discard a perfectly good batch! Now you’ve provided the perfect recipe to use it. 8-D
Stephanie Quilao says
Quinoa freak here! Love the combo with Goji berries. Power food 😀
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Thanks for telling us about the Spice Sage. Love quinoa & yours looks awesome! The honey curry vinaigrette is a nice choice for dressing. xo
Jennifer says
You are awesome Vera! I am so amazed by your success and can’t wait to see what you have planned next.
Vera @ Lady and the Blog says
Man – I woke up having to see this again. I can’t wait to make it!
melissa says
sounds SO delish! i love quinoa!
Jennifer says
Hi Honey bunch – so good to see you again…..thanks for coming by!
Tammi Kibler @keenonquinoa says
This salad looks very beautiful. I have never used raw pumpkin seeds before, but I like them toasted on my salads.
Stephanie says
What a lovely colorful salad! Sounds delicious and very healthy. If you have any goji berries leftover, I made some cookies with them a while ago: http://www.52kitchenadventures.com/?p=2180
HoneyB says
What a gorgeous salad – and sounds so delicious too! I am definitely bookmarking this one. I love finding recipes with Quinoa!
Wendy says
We love how you created such an amazing salad with Quinoa just in time for the Holidays! Thank you!
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
What a pretty salad! This would look great with a holiday spread. 🙂
Maria says
Love the dressing on this salad! Great recipe!!
Jennifer says
Thank You Shaina! I love Quiona and include it muffins as well.
Shaina says
This sounds delightful, Jen! Ever since Thermador I have had an obsession with quinoa fruit salads. Love.