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Red Cabbage & Quinoa Salad

BY @MELISSA.HEMSLEY

Who said salads are for summer? In the festive season of excess, this nutrient packed dish has a certain wow factor about it. A bright, crunchy salad can lighten up the Christmas table. Made mostly from leftovers, it also serves as a quick fix to impress unexpected guests.

Make Time: 25 Mins
Serves: 4-6
Melissa Hemsley

Melissa Hemsley

Chef and Mental Health Mates Ambassador

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Red Cabbage & Quinoa Salad

This mood supporting salad is a mix of everything I love; crunch, sweetness, heartiness and lots of freshness from the herbs.

Use any roasted veg you have and I used olives here as I had some leftover from entertaining, but use whatever else you think might work or throw in whatever you fancy! If you’re looking for a good Quinoa source, I love Hodmedods Quinoa which is grown in Essex!”

  1. Cook your quinoa according to the packet. I cooked mine in veg stock for more flavour but feel free to just use water.
  2. Whilst cooking, slice the cabbage, add to a bowl and mix in the apple cider vinegar with a pinch of salt, giving it a good stir. Then leave to sit and turn bright pink until the quinoa is cooked.
  3. Once the quinoa is cooked, assemble it in a big bowl with the cabbage, olive oil, roasted veg and dried and fresh herbs.
  4. Remove the pomegranate seeds from the pomegranate (my preferred method is spanking) and add to the salad, along with the olives. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, a crumbling of feta and a sprinkling of salt and pepper to season.

Ingredients For Red Cabbage & Quinoa Salad

  • 200g Quinoa (I used tricolore for lots of colour)
  • 300g Red Cabbage, Finely Sliced
  • 4 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano/Thyme/Za’atar
  • 2 Big Handfuls Of Roasted Veg (Carrots/Sweet Potato/Squash)
  • 1 Pomegranate
  • 3 Large Handfuls Of Fresh Herbs (Parsley/Mint/Coriander/Dill) Or A Mix, Roughly Chopped
  • Small Handful Feta Cheese, Crumbled (You could also use Goats Cheese, Pecorino, Parmesan or Fried Halloumi)
  • Handful Of Olives

Melissa Hemsley is a cook, writer, champion of sustainable, nourishing food and Mental Health Mates ambassador. This season we’ve partnered with Mental Health Mates, a network of peer support started by bestselling author and columnist, Bryony Gordon in 2016. Run by people who experience their own mental health issues, they meet regularly to walk, connect and share without fear or judgement.

To find out more, read Bryony Gordon’s self-care tips here. Want to get involved? Whether you want to pull on your boots and head out for a walk with others or learn how start your own local meet-up, you’re in the right place...

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