Wawa Kale and Quinoa Salad

For those that may not know, Wawa is a convenience store/gas station in the East Coast.  They make awesome subs and have great coffee.  I first discovered this salad when we were heading home from a dance competition.  I was hungry but not in the mood for a sub.  So I walked over to the cold case to see what I could find and, too my surprise, saw the Kale and Quinoa salad.  I wasn't expecting much but it turned out to be so delicious.  It is so good that I now crave it and try to angle for Wawa stops during our summer travels.  Sadly, the last time we went they were out so I looked around my kitchen to see if I could make it myself.

Serving:1 person

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled

1/2 cup apple, chopped

1/2 cup yellow pepper, chopped

1 Tbsp dried cranberries

2 Tbsp goat cheese, crumbled

1 cup baby kale or regular kale cut to bite sized pieces

2 Tbsp Champagne Vinaigrette (Recipe at EatingWell.com)

Note: If your grocery store has a bulk food section, like Wegmans, buy the cranberries out of the bin.  They are juicer than the pre-bagged kind, like craisins.

Note 2:  You can add rotisserie or baked chicken for protein. 

Directions:

1. In your dish layer the ingredients in the following order: quinoa, apples, peppers, cranberries, goat cheese, kale.
2. Top with dressing if eating immediately.  If eating later, add the dressing right before.

1.5 green, 1/2 purple, 1 yellow, 1/2 blue, 1 orange (1 red, if you add chicken)

What's for Dinner?: June 22 - June 28th

Here's what we are having for dinner this week:


Sunday: Chislic (a South Dakota bar snack staple), Squash with Walnuts and Goat Cheese, Mushroom Rice
Chislic - State Dinner post coming
Squash - Saute then add the walnuts and goat cheese
Mushroom Rice - Recipe from Tickled Red blog

Monday: Dinner with Friends

Tuesday: Club Sandwiches

Wednesday: Breakfast Dinner
Pancakes and Bacon
Hint: Add a teaspoon of vanilla to your pancake batter.


Thursday: Sausage-Cauliflower Spaghetti 
Great way to use up the sausages from last week
Recipe is from Food Network

Update: Four Italian Sausages equals the 12oz the recipe calls for. 

Friday:  Walking Tacos Dinner and a Movie
Recipe from Dine and Dish

Saturday: Spaghetti Dinner at Church