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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 salad.
To make things fast and easy, whisk together all the 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…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.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 541 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
? <–me when my salad game is on point.
This was beyond fantastic! Absolutely loved the unique flavour combinations – different in every bite. Definitely company worthy and will be making over and over.
YAY! Thanks for making it Catherine!! So happy you liked it!!
Best salad ever! I’ve made this twice in two weeks and my husband and friends absolutely love it! Thank you!
YAY, so happy it was a hit!
Thanks Jess!
Just made it and LOVED it! So color- and flavourful!
YES! That is so great! Thanks Johanna(:
I can’t get lemongrass, but I have a tube of lemongrass paste – do you think I could use that?
Hi Nona! Yes, lemongrass in a tube will be great!! I would use 1-2 teaspoons. Hope you love this!
Making this tonight but can’t find fresh basil, any ideas??
Hi Carolyn you could try mint or parsley!
Most of my favorite recipes of yours are food piles. This may be my favorite. I wouldn’t have ever thought of combining these flavors together, but then again, I’m not nearly as creative as you. Wonderful recipe. It was a nice, healthy Tuesday night dinner after a weekend of 4th of July food regrets. Thank you!
WOW Thank you so so much (:
I’m SO happy you liked it, and so happy you like my food (:
Made this salad tonight with my tail between my legs and a hankering for pizza thinking… Ugh…. Salad… It was absolutely incredible. Such perfect flavour combos, incredible variety and so satisfying. Had guests who absolutely are obsessed with it too. Will be making this once a week while we have good avocado here in Ireland!
Wow! So happy you and your guest liked it!! Thanks so much for trying it Ciara!
Made this yesterday for MIL and everyone loved it. There wa seriously one spoonful left and she made me save it to eat later. The whole family loves you, Tieghan. Will try berry salad for 4th today.
AWE!! Thank you so much! Thrilled the salad was a hit! Happy 4th of July!
I’ve had peaches on the brain lately so this is perfect. I kind of want to throw a BBQ just so I have an excuse to make lots and lots of this salad
Haha!! Yes!! That sounds awesome!! Hope you love it Amanda!
This is the prettiest salad ever, Tieghan! So loving these summer flavors. 🙂
Thanks Laura!! I’m loving making them as well! (:
This was SO SO SO good! Super fresh and healthy and full of summer deliciousness. My husband was a little skeptical at the flavor combinations when he first saw the bowl but he is a total fan now. Making it again for friends with a new baby tomorrow!
Wow!! Thank you so much!! I’m so happy you guys liked it!! (:
Quinoa with Thai flavors?! Sounds DEEEEE-licious! Your salad game is totally on point!
This looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you Shannon
Currently loving salad with farro, grilled veggies (corn, zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, onion, red peppers), goat cheese, tomatoes and cucumber. Will try the dressing on mine, thanks.
Thank you so much!! Hope you love the salad!
Such an amazing salad and love the addition of peach in it. Always a pleasure to see you put together meals, here and on snap.
xx
Ah so happy your following my snaps!! Thank you!!