This Fig Hibiscus Quinoa Salad with a Fig Feta Vinaigrette has it all, a hint of sweetness from the figs, saltiness from the feta, tanginess from the hibiscus and floral notes from the fennel and basil. It has a nice combination of crunchy texture from the fennel and onions incorporated with soft textures from the quinoa, feta and figs.
It was my birthday this weekend and I had a great time! My mom flew in from Washington for the week with her new boyfriend Clyde. We went to lunch at one of our favorite spots, the “Bittersweet Bistro“. Later that evening, four of my girlfriends, my mom, Clyde, Robby and I met for dinner at a really cool restaurant in Felton named “The Cremer House“. It should be no surprise that I ordered the mac n cheese, which was exceptionally good by the way! The server later surprised me with homemade apple fritters with fresh whipped cream and a candle on top. The fritters were the size of donut holes and there were more than enough to pass around the table.
This salad goes great with just about any white wine. If you’re in the mood for sweet then try a Riesling or if you’re leaning towards a dryer wine try a Sauvignon Blanc.
Fig Hibiscus Quinoa Salad with a Fig Feta Vinaigrette - CaliZona
Ingredients
Hibiscus Champagne Vinegar Flowers
- 1/2 Cup Dried Organic Hibiscus Flowers
- 1/2 Bottle Champagne Vinegar I used Napa Valley Naturals
Feta Vinaigrette - Approx. 1 Cup
- 1 Cups about 7 – 10 Fresh Figs – quartered
- 1/4 Cup Feta Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Hibiscus Vinegar or Champagne Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice - fresh squeezed
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Small Clove Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Quinoa
- 1 Cup Dried Quinoa
- 1 3/4 Cups Filtered Water
- 1 Vegetarian Bouillon Cube - unsalted or low salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Salad
- 1/2 Cup Champagne Hibiscus Flowers - or to taste
- 1/2 Fennel Bulb - thinly sliced
- 1/4 Red Onion - thinly sliced
- 1 Cup Basil - chiffonade
- 3/4 Cup Feta Cheese - crumbled
- 8 Fresh Black Mission Figs - quartered
- 1 Cup Toasted Almonds - or more - top on individual salads - optional
Garnish - optional
- Fennel Fronds - thinly sliced
- Toasted Almonds
Instructions
Hibiscus Flowers
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Prepare this 4 days to a week ahead.
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Add the hibiscus flowers to a glass jar and pour the vinegar over the hibiscus flowers. Let sit for 4 days to a week. (I did a week)
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Strain into another jar.
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Save the hibiscus champagne vinegar for the vinaigrette
Vinaigrette
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Put all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend well. Set aside.
Quinoa
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Measure the quinoa and water then add to a small saucepan.
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Add the bouillon cube, olive oil and salt.
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Bring to a boil uncovered, mash the bouillon cube then turn the heat down between medium-low and low heat.
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Cover for 15 minutes. (use a timer) Turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
Assemble
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Add the quinoa to a large bowl and fluff with a fork to break up any clumps and let cool.
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Mix the hibiscus flowers, fennel, onion and basil into the quinoa and then carefully stir in the feta crumbles and figs.
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Or add everything on top of the quinoa on a large platter.
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Top individual salads with the vinaigrette, almonds and fennel fronds.
Health benefits:
Quinoa is a superfood that is extremely nutrient rich as well as it is a complete protein source and high in fiber, which helps digestion and heart health. It contains more antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients than any other grain. Unlike most grains, quinoa has a significant amount of gamma-tocopherol of the vitamin E family, which helps with some inflammatory issues. It is a good source of magnesium that helps metabolism, cardiovascular, and blood vessel function, which is helpful for migraine headaches. Quinoa contains the antioxidant flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol even more than in cranberries. It is helpful in the regulation of blood sugar and also reduces your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Figs are high in potassium, which helps control high blood pressure. They have a high concentration of fiber that is helpful in digestion, weight management, constipation; helps prevent colon cancer, post-menopausal breast cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. The soluble fiber pectin helps pull out excess cholesterol. They are also high in calcium that strengthens bones and they are high in antioxidants that are excellent for the liver.
