Quinoa Salad with Dried Apricots and Baby Spinach

Description
This spicy salad with little jewels of dried apricot in the mix would be welcome at lunch or a simple weekday dinner. You can prepare the salad and dressing ahead of time.
 * Contributed by Healthy Recipes for Diabetic Friends Y-Group
 * Source: Eating Well This Week
 * Formatted by Chupa Babi in MC: 06.26.07
 * Active time: 30 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes
 * Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

 * 1 cup quinoa
 * 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
 * 2 cloves garlic, minced
 * ½ cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
 * 2 cups water
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * ⅔ cup Moroccan-spiced Lemon Dressing, divided
 * 1 cup cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
 * 1 small red onion, chopped
 * 8 cups baby spinach
 * ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

 * 1) Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes.
 * 2) Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
 * 3) Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
 * 4) Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute.
 * 5) Add apricots and the quinoa; continue cooking, stirring often, until the quinoa has dried out and turned light golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
 * 6) Add water and salt; bring to a boil.
 * 7) Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.
 * 8) Meanwhile, make Moroccan-spiced Lemon Dressing.
 * 9) Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and toss with ⅓ cup of the dressing.
 * 10) Let cool for 10 minutes.
 * 11) Just before serving, add tomatoes and onion to the quinoa; toss to coat.
 * 12) Toss spinach with the remaining ⅓ cup dressing in a large bowl.
 * 13) Divide the spinach among 4 plates.
 * 14) Mound the quinoa salad on the spinach and sprinkle with almonds.

Nutritional information
Per serving:
 * 325 calories | 10 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono) | 0 mg cholesterol | 51 g carbohydrate | 11 g protein | 7 g fiber | 214 mg sodium.
 * Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (120% daily value) | Vitamin C (50% dv) | Folate (32% dv) | Iron (30% dv) | Potassium (25% dv).
 * Carbohydrate Servings: 3
 * Exchanges: 2½ starch | 2 vegetable | ½ lean protein | 1½ fat
 * 7 pts