Quinoa (Keen-wah) Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avacado & Lemon Basil Dressing

By Nancy Jill Thames

You are going to love this salad. My sister-in-law made it for my husband and I this past weekend as a side dish. She also made grilled corn-on-the-cob to go along with the grilled rubbed pork tenderloin. Yes, she spoils us. Just click to the site and try the recipe. Yum!

Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avocado & Lemon Basil Dressing

by Two Peas on April 19, 2013

It is spring, right? I think it is, but mother nature is telling me otherwise. It’s been cold and we’ve even had snow in Utah this week. Yes, snow, the white stuff that I wish would go away until Christmas day. We’ve been cooped up inside this week-no park, no runs, and no walks. Poor little Caleb is itching to get outside to play. I hope the weather cheers up soon!

I’ve been trying to think spring all week. I did some spring cleaning and spring cooking. I made a Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avocado and Lemon Basil Dressing this week. I didn’t even care it was snowing outside while I was eating my spring salad. The spring flavors made me forget all about the winter weather.

I think this is my new favorite quinoa salad. I love our Quinoa Salad with Mango, Avocado, and Tomatoes, but this salad is giving it a run for it’s money! I am smitten by this salad! I love everything about it!

First of all, it’s easy to make. Second, look at all of the green! Third, there are peas involved-yay for peas! And finally, it is healthy and fresh! Swimsuit season is around the corner so I am trying to focus on healthy eating.

Well, I was trying until my dad came to visit and made his famous cinnamon rolls. So maybe I should say I am trying to focus on balance. Healthy eating, exercise, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. They can all play nicely together. After stuffing my face with a big fat cinnamon roll, I redeemed myself by eating this healthy salad for dinner…and I worked out extra hard the next morning. It’s all about balance.

This salad fits the bill for the healthy eating part. It is loaded with healthy ingredients! Quinoa, asparagus, peas, avocado, and a light lemon basil dressing. It’s gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan, if you use agave nectar instead of honey in the dressing. This salad is great as a main dish or served as a side. It is also great served warm or chilled. See, this salad is a winner all around!

Think spring and make Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avocado & Lemon Basil Dressing!

And don’t forget to enter our Weck Jars Giveaway! And if you are looking for strawberry recipe ideas? Check out my guest post on Cafe Zupas.

Print Save

Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Peas, Avocados & Lemon Basil Dressing

Yield: Serves 4-6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

A fresh, healthy, and easy salad for spring!

Have a great weekend!

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill 

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her chocolate cream pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers' Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW CenTex Chapter, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY on your ereader for free!

Amazon Paperback $8.09

 Kindle FREE!

Barnes and Nobel Paperback $8.99 

Nook FREE!

FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!