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Grains & Greens: Baby Lettuces, Blood Oranges, Quinoa & Chickpeas on a white plate

Grains & Greens: Baby Lettuces, Blood Oranges, Quinoa & Chickpeas

A beautiful, protein-packed salad that can be served either as a hearty side or vegan/vegetarian main dish. 

Course: Appetizer, lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Calories: 170 kcal
Author: Dédé Wilson

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch Sherry Vinaigrette
  • 2 cups (370 g) cooked quinoa, any color (we used white)
  • 5 ounces (140 g) baby lettuces
  • 1 cup (152 g) canned chickpeas, drained
  • 2 blood oranges, see Tips

Preparation:

  1. Have the quinoa cooked and cooled to room temperature.
  2. Toss the cooled quinoa and lettuces in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Drain the canned chickpeas. Rinse them under cool water, drain again and gently pat dry. Add them to the salad.
  4. Cut the peel and white pith away from the oranges. Use a sharp knife to cut into rounds about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick, saving any juices if you can. Measure out 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the Sherry Vinaigrette and add any collected orange juices to the vinaigrette.
  5. If you want to place the salad bowl on a buffet, cut the orange rounds into quarters and add them to the salad; dress the salad lightly with the vinaigrette. If you want to make the presentation a little fancier (as in our top image), dress the salad without the oranges, plate the salad and arrange orange slices on top and serve immediately. You might not need all of the dressing or you might want a little extra! Make it to your liking. Any extra dressing will find a home on any of your favorite green salads.

Notes:

Tips

  • You can use navel oranges, of course, which are easier to find. You will lose out on the spectacular sunset color of the blood oranges, but navels will work quite well. Other citrus such as Mandarins or clementines could be substituted as well.
Nutrition Facts
Grains & Greens: Baby Lettuces, Blood Oranges, Quinoa & Chickpeas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 170 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 75mg3%
Potassium 115mg3%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 4g8%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.