Perfect summer picnic salad

Lunch couldn't be more summery: salad and watermelon.  The perfect day by the lake.

 I intended to post this on Friday...Foodie Friday...but life was crazy last week and I just didn't have time.  If the weather has been as warm and summery where you are this weekend as it has been here, this would have been the perfect addition to your picnic or Saturday afternoon BBQ.  Instead, you will have to wait until next weekend or use it as a really quick and easy supper on a hot work day this week.

The lake.  If anyone is in the Nuremberg area, I highly recommend Rothsee.  

As mentioned in my post on Wednesday, we took this salad on picnic at the lake two weeks ago.  It was fantastic, tasted wonderful and was light and refreshing.  The best part was that we transported it in jam jars, which made it super easy.  When we were finished eating, we screwed the lids on tight again and then tossed them in the dishwasher when we got home.

The salad is super simple and really takes advantage of the season.  Here is the recipe:

Summery picnic salad with peaches

serves 2 hungry eaters

1 1/2 cup quinoa, cooked in apple juice instead of water

6 dried figs, diced

1/2 onion, diced

1/4 cup dried cranberries 

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

12/ cup feta, crumbled

1/4 cup nuts, chopped

1 large peach or 2 small peaches, sliced

2-3 cups spring greens

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch ginger

salt and pepper to taste

homemade vinaigrette 

Cut up figs and add them to quinoa, add a small pinch of cinnamon and ginger.  Put about 1/2 inch of dressing (well shaken) in the bottom of two jam or mason jars.  Add in and equal amount of onion, cranberries and pomegranate seeds on top of the dressing in both jars.  Layer sliced peaches in next.  Fill with spring greens to 2/3 of the way up the jar, pushing it down a bit to compact it.  Add quinoa, so that it almost reaches the top of the jar.  Add nuts and feta on top.  Top with freshly ground pepper.  Seal in the jar but DO NOT tip over.  You do not want the dressing getting on the greens before it is time to eat.  

When you want to eat, tip the contents of the jar out onto a plate, mix around and enjoy.  

If you would like to make this salad at home (and do not want to take it for a picnic) you could simply add all ingredients to a bowl, mix and serve.  Or, for a prettier presentation, you could put the quinoa at the bottom of a pretty glass bowl or trifle bowl, followed by the spring greens and topped with the rest of the ingredients.  Do not dress until just before serving.  

Relaxing on the picnic blanket in the summer sun.

A gorgeous place to swim and play.