Ingredients

  • FOR THE DRESSING
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • FOR THE SALAD
  • 1 cup quinoa (see Ingredient note)
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup dried apricot, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup prepared salad dressing, divided (Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes or 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 8 cups Baby Spinach
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)

Method

  • TO PREPARE THE DRESSING:
  • Whisk lemon juice, yogurt, honey, cumin, cinnamon and ginger in a small bowl until blended.
  • Slowly whisk in oil so that the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • TO PREPARE THE SALAD:
  • Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Add apricots and the quinoa; continue cooking, stirring often, until the quinoa has dried out and turned light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add water and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.
  • Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and toss with 1/3 cup of the Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Just before serving, add tomatoes and onion to the quinoa; toss to coat. Toss spinach with the remaining 1/3 cup dressing in a large bowl. Divide the spinach among 4 plates. Mound the quinoa salad on the spinach and sprinkle with almonds.
  • SERVING SIZE = 2 cups spinach with approximately 1 cup quinoa mixture.
  • MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate the quinoa and dressing separately for up to 2 days.
  • INGREDIENT NOTE: Quinoa is available in most natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Toasting this grain before simmering enhances its flavor.
  • TO TOAST NUTS: Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.