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It’s official, my salad game is going strong.
I blame it all on these oddly warm days that we are having here in the mountains. Typically it doesn’t go too much above seventy during the summer months and cools to the forties (or lower) at night. There’s always a cool breeze so it’s very tolerable (no AC in houses or businesses up here). But this whole week it’s been in the eighties, ninety plus down in Denver. That’s totally normal for Denver, but eighties in the mountains with sunshine is warm. I am LOVIN it to say the least, but it totally has me craving, lighter foods that require zero oven time. My kitchen has been HOT, so any chance I get to not turn on the oven, I’ll take.
Enter this Thai grilled corn and peach quinoa salad, basically summer in a bowl. 🙂
Like I mentioned yesterday, I am in full on planning mode for the fourth of July. I’m not totally sure as to whether or not I will be here in Colorado or in Mexico with my family, but either way, I’m making a killer cookout menu, and obviously all good BBQ’s need really good sides!
Here is my two cents on summer sides. They should be simple, full of fresh ingredients, and able to be made in advance to make entertaining crazy easy.
Obviously, not all sides can be this way, but I try to make a point to have a few on hand that are. It just makes life so much easier when you can check a whole bunch of dishes off your list before the party even starts, you know? And hey, it’s summer, life should be easy breezy!
Alright, so remember last week how I mentioned some posts might be a bit shorter over the next couple weeks while I finish up the cookbook? Well, today’s post is going to have to be one of those shorter post. I feel like it fits anyway since this is such a simple recipe, so I’m going with it.
Here’s quick run down on this Thai quinoa salad recipe.
To make things fast and easy, whisk together all the dressing ingredients for the Thai vinaigrette right in the bottom of your salad bowl. I LOVE this vinaigrette, it’s slightly sweet, a tinsy bit spicy and perfectly tangy. It really works with the flavors and textures of this salad. Once you have the vinaigrette ready, just add in all the remaining ingredients…quinoa, sweet grilled corn, ripe peaches, garden tomatoes, fresh basil, mint, cilantro, avocado and a whole bunch of crumbled feta. Finish off with toasted pepitas for crunch and a handful of micro greens.
DONE.
Simple, fast, fresh, healthy and SO GOOD.
Leftovers made for a most awesome lunch for a good two days in the fridge…piled high over a bowl of hummus…scooped up with naan…gimme all the carbs…of course…so predictable.
Thai Grilled Corn and Peach Quinoa Salad.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek, chili paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped lemongrass, optional
- pepper
- 4 ears grilled or roasted corn, kernels removed
- 2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 Fresno chilies, seeded + chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6-8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup toasted pepitas, shelled pumpkin seeds
- handful of microgreens
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
- Meanwhile in the bottom of a large salad bowl, whisk together the olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sambal oelek, honey, ginger, lemongrass and pepper.
- To the dressing, add the cooked quinoa, corn kernels, peaches, basil, mint, cilantro, green onions, fresno chilies, tomatoes and feta cheese. Gently toss everything together until combined. Top with sliced avocado, toasted pepitas and a handful of micro greens. Serve warm or cold.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
? <–me when my salad game is on point.
If I am in Thailand I have to eat this love corn and anything made from corn
Thanks Carlos!!
This salad sounds like it has an amazing combination of flavors I would never have tried before.
Lifestyle by Joules
Thank you!! Hope you get to try it!!
Looks soooooo good!
Izzy | https://plantbasedizzy.wordpress.com/
Thank you Izzy!!
Such intense yums for these images! Corn is so perfect in the summer and that avo looks to die for!
http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com
Thank you Julia!!
Wow! All my favorites in one bowl!
Thank you Tonya!!
Peaches and corn are two of my favorite things. This looks amazing!
Same!! Hope you love it Kari!! Thanks!
Lovely as always, sounds and looks delicious!
Thank you Tracey!!
Peaches and corn are my favorite part of summer. So excited for this!!!
https://searedandshameless.com
YAY! I think I would have to agree with you!! Hope you love the salad!!
Lovely, lovely salad! I’m adoring all your flavor and topping choices and you can so count me in for this one!!!
YESS Thanks a ton Tori!!
The addition of peach and grilled corn sounds sooo delicious! I love salads like this
Ah thank you!!
Whoa, look at all these colors! Eating clean is much easier when it looks like this! 😉
LOL! Thank you so much Gabriella! Hope you love the salad!
I am LOVING the peach/sweet corn/basil combo in this salad! Must try this!
Thank you Amanda!! Hope you love it!!
What a great salad – love it!
Thank you Julia!!
Is it odd that I’m wondering how many avocados you must have laying around? *lol* But I can’t blame you. I love avocados, too. Especially with hummus (either pesto hummus or spicy hummus) on a sandwich and whatever else you fancy.
Seeing this salad I was wondering if you have ever considered making a salad dressing special? I’d love it.
Sending you lot of strenght for your cook book 🙂
Hey Kat! I always have at least 5-6 avocados on hand. Always. lol! Love the idea of a post all about dressings, let me think more on that one! Thanks so much!!! 🙂
Nice bowl.
Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Nancy!!