This vibrant and nutritious salad combines the freshness of arugula and mixed greens with a delightful mix of fruits, nuts and seeds. The star ingredient, quinoa, adds protein and texture, while the colourful array of fruits and vegetables provides a burst of flavour. Topped with a tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner.

Ingredients:

For the salad

• 2 cups arugula
• 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, kale, or lettuce)
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 cup of yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

For the Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing

• 3tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2tbsp olive oil
• 1tbsp honey
• 1tsp Dijon mustard
• 1tsp poppy seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

The quinoa

• Rinse the quinoa under cold water
• In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed
• Fluff with a fork and let it cool

Assemble the salad

• In a large salad bowl, combine the arugula, mixed greens, and cooked quinoa
• Add the sliced apple, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, pecans, poppy seeds, raspberries, dried cranberries, and black olives
• Toss gently to mix all the ingredients

The dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds
• Season with salt and pepper to taste

To serve:

• Drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad
• Toss again to coat everything evenly

Tips:

• You can customise the salad to your liking by adding or subtracting ingredients
• Make sure to toast the pecans before chopping them for added flavour
• You can also make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week

Quinoa and Arugula Salad is available at Cabana Club, 4th-5th floor, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre, 83A Lý Thường Kiệt St, Hoàn Kiếm Dist, Hà Nội. For reservation, please dial +84 24 3822 2800.  VNS