A trip to the farmers’ market is nothing short of torture for my husband, and total bliss for me.Â
For some reason, wandering from booth to booth and filling your basket with a variety of fruits and vegetables isn’t nearly as exhilarating for Mike, as it is for me.
At a recent trip to our local market a vender displayed bunches of carrots that caught my eye. There were lemony yellow and deep purple carrots bundled in with your typical orange variety. It didn’t take long for me to add them to my basket.
As you can see, my camera didn’t do these tasty vegetables justice, or maybe it was the photographer.
Colorful Carrots
When it came time to put my purchase to use, I couldn’t bear the thought of tossing them into a stir fry, or steaming them until their lovely colors faded.
I wanted those colors to pop and that fresh clean taste to shine, so I julienned them and put them in this quinoa salad with a handful of fresh basil and a light vinaigrette.
Quinoa and Carrot Salad
My carrots really stood out in this easy salad recipe, and I had enough leftovers for a tasty lunch the next day.
Happy, healthy cooking!
Quinoa and Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa, cooked according to package directions
- 3 large carrots, julliened
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Combine quinoa, carrots, onion and basil in a bowl.
- In a smaller bowl combine garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and Champagne vinegar.
- Mix dressing into quinoa mixture and fold in cheese.
- Chill for 15 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Calories: 227 Weight Watchers PointsPlus 5 Total Fat: 6.11g Cholesterol: 7mg Sodium: 219mg Total Carbs: 30.30g Dietary Fiber: 5.03g Sugars: 4.72g Protein: 9.04g
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Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I love quinoa and made quite a few recipes with it. I like yours as well, will try it
Marta@What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today recently posted…Water with a lemon juice = a miracle beverage
Thanks for visiting Marta! I’m off to visit your blog. I drink lemon and water every morning.
They are so pretty the new colorful carrots, great way to showcase them with this lovely recipe.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz recently posted…Caldo de Papas y Cilantro: Potatoes and Coriander Soup from the Canary Islands
I can relate to the Farmer’s Mkt. My boyfriend doesn’t like to linger, like I do. That salad looks divine. LOVE that your recipes are healthy. I’m trying to lose some lbs.
Jenny (VintageSugarcube) recently posted…Tomato Soup in Drag [Andy Warhol Chocolate Cake]
Join the club. I’ve been working on the last 10 pounds for several years. I never give up though, so at least it’s not 20!
Nice salad Kristi, I like the idea of quinoa and basil in it…looks colorful and flavorful
Have a wonderful week!
Juliana recently posted…Rhubarb Frozen Yogurt
I just have to make this farmers’ market season last as long as I can. I’m always sad when they close.
Carrot salad with Parmesan cheese sounds really yummy!
Medeja recently posted…Kokosiniai Brauniai/ Coconut Brownies
I love simple recipes with fresh ingredients.
Such a beautiful carrot! I usually buy red carrot so forgot that there are even other color carrots!
This sounds like a perfect side dish, and very healthy!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted…Blueberry Crème Fraîche Scones
I have to say that I don’t see the various colors in my local grocery store, so I had no idea they even existed.
What a great blog! love all the healthy recipes thanks so much love that the calories are so low too. Amazing photos.
pollocuisine recently posted…Chicken Wing Sauce Guest Post 18 Delectable Sauce Recipes
Thank you so much. You have some delicious sauce recipes. I’ll be trying them all!
Nice flavors! My wife is cool with visiting farmer’s markets – we both like to eat! It’s always fun looking at stuff and deciding how we’re – which usually means me – are going to use it.
kitchenriffs recently posted…Aromatic Yellow Rice
Ha! At least she enjoys it. My husband usually finds someplace to lean and waits patiently for me to make the rounds. The problem is that I know he’s bored, so I often feel like I’m rushed. Oh well, that’s the give and take of marriage, right?
Kristin, another lovely delicious and very healthy recipe! The colors of these carrots are amazing and sooo goo for you – whenever I see purple ones at the store, I buy a whole bunch, the kids love them. Nice post and wonderful recipe!
thekitchenlioness recently posted…Dark Chocolate Muffins with Crunchy Speculoos Centers and Apple Speculoos Muffins
After years of eating plain old orange carrots, the purple ones are so much fun. I totally agree with the kids! Have a wonderful weekend.
We had purple carrots in our CSA boxes for the first time this past spring. I loved them! Have a blessed rest of the weekend.
Mary recently posted…Garlicky Chicken with Onions
I’m loving the purple varieties of some of these veggies. I served purple potatoes tonight. I can’t say they taste all that different, but they sure are fun to serve!
Farmer’s markets and fresh, colorful produce also makes me happy.
The recipe looks delicious!
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted…Sweet Potato Salad
I’m going to miss the farmers markets. They close soon around here.
This looks great and like the perfect dish for a busy weeknight or make ahead meal. The colors of the carrots are gorgeous – I can definitely see why you wanted to preserve it.
Food Jaunts recently posted…Italian Turkey Broccoli Focaccia Sandwich
This looks fantastic, I love the colours of the heirloom carrots! (might even get over my aversion to carrots to try this salad)
jenbeans recently posted…Roasted pistachio pesto, for those busy evenings – just add pasta or rice or a nice crusty loaf of bread
Buy the purple carrots and you’ll forget their carrots! Have a terrific week ahead.