Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 cup / 200g mixed red & white quinoa

2 cups vegetable stock

± 200g tenderstem broccoli

± 200g cooked spelt

250g white button mushrooms, sliced

1 ripe avocado

50g baby leafy greens / rocket / watercress / herbs

40g raw almonds

¼ cup / 50g fresh pomegranate rubies

*Pickled onions:

1 large red onion, very thinly sliced

½ cup water

½ cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp maple syrup

2 tsp sea salt

*Make ahead

Method:

For the pickled onions:

Pack the sliced onions into a heat-proof glass jar.

In a small saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, maple syrup and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Carefully pour the hot mixture into the jar over the onions.

Press the onions down with a spoon so they are submerged by the vinegar mixture. Allow to cool. Seal and refrigerate.

For the quinoa:

Rinse quinoa well in a sieve with cold running water. Transfer to a pot with the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for approximately 20-30 minutes until all the stock has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool.

Steam tenderstem broccoli for a few minutes until just tender but still crunchy.

Roughly chop and add to a large mixing bowl.

Into the large mixing bowl add the cooled quinoa, cooked spelt, sliced mushrooms, diced avocado, leafy greens and a handful of pickled onions. Toss gently to combine.

Transfer tossed salad into a large bowl and scatter with almonds and pomegranate rubies.

Dress with a little olive oil and pickled onion juice just before serving.

SA Mushroom Farmers’ Association (SAMFA)