Disclosure: I was given Stemilt’s Rave™ apples to create this recipe. All my opinions are my own.
Fall is quickly approaching so it’s time to sink my teeth into some crisp and juicy apples. Not only am I going to be raving about apples in this post, I’m actually going to tell you about the newest apple variety from Stemilt Growers, the Rave™ apple.
After 20 years in the making, the Rave™ apple is making its debut in the produce section. It is a cross between a HoneyCrisp and MonArk apple. These apples are exclusively grown and sold by Stemilt Growers.
Prior to creating this recipe, I had to taste this apple on its own first to see what it tastes like before I mixed it with other ingredients. The outside of the apple has a bright red skin that almost covers the entire apple with a few yellow areas.
I took my handy apple slicer to cut and core this apple. As the slicer penetrated through the apple, the juice that was inside of the apple immediately shot up into the air spraying a mist of Rave™ apple juice at my face. I was taken off guard because I wasn’t expecting the apple to be that juicy.
As I took my first bite of this apple, my taste buds were hit with a unique tarte apple flavor. I couldn’t believe how juicy it was. This is the juiciest apple I’ve ever tasted.
I give the Rave™ apple two thumbs up!! If you want to have the opportunity to taste this new apple, you need to hurry because it’s only in season from mid-August to mid-September.
It is great to eat as a snack or as an addition to a healthy salad. The Rave™ apple in this recipe adds a nice sweet flavor to this typically savory dish.
Not only is this salad different from other quinoa salads because it contains the Rave™ apple but it also has pigeon peas. Pigeon peas are usually found in Latin rice recipes so I thought, why not add it to a cold salad dish?
With the apple, pigeon peas, quinoa, almonds, dried cranberries, parsley and freshly made dressing this salad contains essential minerals and vitamins such as vitamin B which is crucial to have when eating a plant-based diet. Not only does this combination of ingredients provide you with nutrients but it’s also intriguing to your palate.
This salad is quick and easy to make and the only ingredient that needs to be cooked is the quinoa. It makes enough that you can share it with your family and have left overs to continue enjoying it the next day.
Learn more about the Rave™ apple here.
Apple Quinoa Salad
Get the printable recipe here.
Yield: 3-4 servings
Ingredients:
½ cup quinoa
1 cup low sodium vegetable broth or water
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 celery sticks diced
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 garlic clove minced
½ Stemilt Rave™ apple or pink lady apple diced
1 can pigeon peas
¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
½ lemon juiced
1 teaspoon agave nectar or vegan honey such as Bee Free Honee
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. In a small pot, add the vegetable broth and quinoa and cook according to the instructions on the package.
2. Let the quinoa cool down.
3. In a large bowl, add the cooked quinoa, almonds, celery, cranberries, garlic, apple, pigeon peas, parsley, lemon juice, agave nectar, olive oil and salt.
4. Toss all of the ingredients together.
5. Cover the salad and place in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
6. Serve chilled.
