If you need a simple yet delicious salad to bring to a gathering, this Quinoa Party Salad is for you.

This summer party salad delivers! It’s simple with just a few ingredients and big on flavor. The flavor of the dressing is key, read more about that below.

The measurements are pretty fluid but follow these basic guidelines. If you can, think ahead and prepare the quinoa ahead of time to use for other meals throughout the week. Cooked quinoa keeps in the refrigerator up to 5 days and you want it cold or room temperature for this salad.

Apples are technically in season in Fall, but because of modern farming and distribution methods, fantastic apples are available year round. I find the pink lady variety especially good here. Fresh blueberries or blackberries also would be great in in this salad if you want to use a summer fruit.

As far as the greens go, use whatever you have on hand or is a good price at the market. For this salad, I think tender greens like spinach, arugula or mixed greens make the best texture-wise.

The recipe below makes one large party-size salad that makes a great side dish. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a day, so you can halve the size if making if just for one or two and get a few meals out of it. Add some organic chicken or hemp seeds for protein to make it more of a complete meal.

Spinach, Quinoa & Apple Salad (aka The Best Summer Party Salad)

Total time: 10 to 30 minutes
Serves 8-12

• 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach
• 3 cups loosely packed arugula (or 6 cups total of any mixed greens)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 1 large pink lady apple, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (I like to use my vegetable peeler to make the onion finely shaved)
• 3/4 cup of “the perfect homemade balsamic vinaigrette”
• optional: 4-6 ounces organic goat cheese, crumbled

Recipe: Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl, then toss with dressing. Sprinkle goat cheese if using and lightly toss one more time to coat.

If preparing ahead, place all ingredients except the dressing and goat cheese in a large salad bowl and cover tightly plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 4 hours. Toss all ingredients 10 minutes before the party starts.

Enjoy!