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+ servings
This sweet, tangy, and spicy salad is versatile, great hot or cold, and great to serve to a group.
a quinoa-millet cherry salad with mint and lime
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Servings4

Ingredients

  • ½ cup millet
  • ½ cup quinoa
  • ¼ cup almonds
  • 8 ounces fresh cherries pitted and cut in a mix of halves and quarters (I like a mix of red and yellow varieties)
  • ½ small red onion finely chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño seeded and minced
  • Juice of 1 medium lime
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro stemmed and leaves coarsely chopped
  • 3 to 4 mint leaves cut into thin ribbons, for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix the millet and quinoa in a large bowl. Rinse the grains several times under running water, rubbing them together with your fingers, until the water stops foaming and runs clear.
  • To cook the grains to the texture I think is ideal, where they won’t stick together, put 6 cups of water in a large saucepan. Add the grains, bring the water to a boil, and cook until the millet softens and the quinoa pops and forms little tails at the end, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Pour the cooked grains through a strainer, being very careful that the hot water doesn’t burn you; there may be about a cup of water remaining. Or, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  • Add the grains, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook until all the water is absorbed and the grains are tender enough to fluff with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. If you’ll be serving the salad cold, chill the grains in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
  • Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Put in the almonds and toast for a few minutes, tossing or stirring frequently, until the nuts are fragrant and lightly browned. Let the almonds cool before using.
  • When the almonds are cool enough to handle, coarsely chop them and put them in a large bowl, along with the cherries, onions, jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro. Add the grains and combine. Garnish with the mint.