Last summer my daughter asked me to try to replicate California Pizza Kitchen’s Quinoa-Arugula Salad. After a few attempts, I think I’ve got it down. It’s a fantastic salad that’s bursting with flavors but not heavy at all. It makes for an easy, delicious weeknight meal and, if you have leftovers, it’s great for lunch the next day. Even my husband and son, who would normally prefer heartier fare, enjoy this dish.
On the CPK menu, chicken, salmon, or shrimp are optional add-ons. I’ve made this with shrimp once or twice, but salmon really is the best. What’s nice about this recipe is that nothing really needs to be finished at the exact same time so you can sort of make it at your leisure. I usually get the salmon on the grill, then get the quinoa going. While that’s simmering, I’ll roast the asparagus. I do like to take the extra step of toasting the pine nuts, but I do that last so I can watch them and make sure they don’t burn.
Everything can finish in its own time, and then sit at room temperature for a little while until you chop the veggies and make the dressing. And if you buy the packaged arugula and the pre-crumbled feta, there really isn’t a ton of chopping to do.
Serve with a chilled, crisp Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy!
Salmon-Quinoa-Arugula Salad
1-1 ½ lb. salmon
1 lemon, cut in half
Tony Cachere Creole seasoning, to taste
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups chicken broth
1 lb. asparagus, rinsed, dried and trimmed
1 container baby arugula
½ small red onion, chopped
About 6-8 sun dried tomatoes, diced
¼ C pine nuts, toasted
½ C crumbled feta cheese
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Champagne vinaigrette (recipe below, or use your favorite bottled version)
Season salmon with juice of half of the lemon and Tony’s to taste. Grill to medium-rare or medium doneness (depending on your preference) and set aside.
While the salmon is cooking, add a dash of olive oil to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add quinoa and toast for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chicken broth, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmering until broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
At the same time, preheat oven to 370 degrees. Place asparagus on baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast asparagus in preheated oven, about 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
To toast the pine nuts, place a small skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts and stir frequently until lightly toasted. Remove from heat.
To serve, divide the arugula evenly among four plates and top with quinoa, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, onions, pine nuts and feta cheese. Serve salmon on the side and drizzle all with vinaigrette!
Champagne Vinaigrette
I based the recipe for the dressing on this recipe on Epicurious.com. I tweaked it by omitting the honey and the hot sauce just out of personal preference, but you could certainly leave those in.
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼- 1/3 cup champagne vinegar (can use white wine vinegar instead)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup olive oil
Whisk together the garlic, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing emulsifies.
Kath Achtenberg 