Quinoa Salad with Dried Apricots & Baby Spinach

Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle , about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook , stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Add apricots and the quinoa; continue cooking, stirring often, until the quinoa has dried out and turned light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add water and salt; bring to a boil . Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer , uncovered, until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, make Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing. Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and toss with 1/3 cup of the dressing. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Just before serving, add tomatoes and onion to the quinoa; toss to coat. Toss spinach with the remaining 1/3 cup dressing in a large bowl. Divide the spinach among 4 plates. Mound the quinoa salad on the spinach and sprinkle with almonds.

Ingredient note: Quinoa is available in most natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Toasting this grain before simmering enhances its flavor.

To toast nuts : Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

Related Recipe: Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing