Curry Quinoa Walnut Salad

Do something truly daring this year, plus try this Curry Quinoa Walnut Salad!

This quote from my husband was so inspiring to me, to start the New Year off right, and I wanted to share it again today. I read back over his words again and again, because I really wanted to take them to heart.

This New Year’s Eve, let’s do something truly daring. Let’s raise a cold glass not to our strengths, accomplishments or aspirations, important as they can be. Let’s honor what weakness and humility do, or want to do, with God and man: Allow love to shine brighter and warmer than we ever thought possible. (Read the rest of the story, here.)

A love to shine brighter and warmer than ever. That means I need to do something different this year. Not fall back into the same ruts, routines, even schedules. For me, I want more meals at home with friends. Home is a reflection of the love and warmth that we can offer to others. It’s when we invite guests in and show them who we are, what our lives are like, we do something daring. We not only take the risk of opening up our lives, by being authentic and real in conversation, but we dig into the lives of others.

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Not to our strengths, accomplishments or aspirations, important as they can be. Have you ever shared a meal with others where they only talk about themselves? My husband and I try not to talk about ourselves, unless asked, and then we keep it short. Paul already knows, I try to change the subject quickly when it comes to “my stuff.” I truly am interested in the lives of others, I find their lives much more interesting than mine, especially when they’re doing something important (outside of themselves). It’s an art, talking to people. In fact, I wrote a post about it, here, on how we introduce ourselves to others (first impressions). This post has an unusual spin that I often have to remind myself of.

Do something truly daring. I’m starting a new book proposal that I am so excited about. I can’t tell you yet the subject, but it’s relevant to everyone. Everyone! One of my goals is to work on this book a little bit every day. Being a full time recipe developer, food author and blogger on RE, I do work hard, long days, which I love. But I’m daring myself to step outside my comfort zone and to do something different. This is where my new book idea comes in! (I’m very excited about this:) For you, it could be hosting a type of party that you’ve never hosted before (how about Hawaiian Luau, Haty Party, Thrift Store Tacky Party, Bacon Western Party, a Summer in Winter Party, or a Game Night), or inviting and connecting with new people! Scary – but fun!

Honor our weakness and humility. Being honest with our weaknesses and where we fail with entertaining and relationships, and doing something about it. For me, it’s realizing I need help and strength every day, and that life is not all about me, but others. It’s when we become generous with our weaknesses that God really shines! That is why I always say here on RE, there’s no excuse for any of us when it comes to hospitality.

This is the time of year we like to hunker down, make fires, go to bed early, veg and watch our favorite television shows, hit a couple of matinee shows at the movie theatre, enjoy hikes, and sometimes dig into naughty comfort foods. Starting this week, I’m laying off the junk food and getting back into salads and healthy food options. Which is why I like to cook big batches of quinoa and keep it in the fridge for soups, salads, or to serve as a side (in the place of pasta). I have found that some guests do not like quinoa, so I try to cook with it and make dishes for our family, but ask ahead when hosting guests. Not that we have picky friends; I must say that I never hear our dinner guests complaining.

I love the variation of adding chicken or not, depending on whether you want the salad to be vegetarian or not, and the curry, walnuts and currants make this salad!

My daughter brings her friends home when we have this salad, and they dig right in!

Happy weekend, Friends!

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Curry Quinoa Walnut Salad

Chicken and apricots are optional. I like to cook a big batch of quinoa in the rice cooker (1 cup quinoa to 1.5 cups water), to keep on hand for yummy salads!

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 8 -10

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Ingredients

 

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• 4 cups cooked quinoa
• 1-2 cups cooked chicken, chopped (optional)
• 3/4 cup currants
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped (optional)
• 1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped, divided
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted, whole
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste
•  

Instructions

 

• Mix the quinoa, chicken, currants, apricots, green onions, red onions, carrots, walnuts and 3/4 cup cilantro together in a salad bowl.
• In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, honey, 1/4 cup cilantro, and curry powder. Pour over the salad mixture and gently stir. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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