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Blueberry Pecan Salad with Quinoa & Goat Cheese

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I got a brand spankin’ new camera and I’m FAH-REAKING out.  !!!

Blueberry Pecan Salad with Quinoa & Goat Cheese // hummusapien.com

It’s been sitting in a box in my room staring at me with those sad little puppy eyes since graduation. I decided that I wouldn’t let myself play with it until after I passed the RD exam since I desperately needed to focus on studying. So why the new photography gear? Well, other than the fact that I’m weirdly obsessed with food and taking pictures of food, I also really, really, really want to take my blog to the next level. And let’s be real…you and you and you and you all eat with your peepers. I swear, those paleo pancakes could taste like eggy cardboard but as long as the gorgeous pictures make you drool, all is well in the blog world! Sad but true, my friends. Now that I’m back from Europe, I’m more ready than ever to make this bloggy boo the best in can be, starting with the pics!

Better pictures. Better ingredients. Papa John’s.

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bueberries

But really, though. Did I mention that we ate Papa John’s pizza at 2am in Ireland no less than a week ago? It was a proud, proud moment. We yelled at the European boys about their yucky cigarette habit while stuffing our faces with mediocre American pizza. It was tragic and oh so beautiful.

I mean I don’t know what’s better, this toasty cheesy bowl of salad greatness or the fact that I can finally actually make out the little balls of quinoa in the uber clear pictures! I always thought my pictures were okay, but seeing what I can do with a legit camera before even editing is just leaps and bounds above what my good old iPhone is capable of.

I still know nothing about this camera. Thank God I have some fabulous friends (ahem Davida and Autumn) who can give me tutorials! For now, all you get is close up pictures of blueberry salad in yo face.

Blueberry Pecan Salad with Quinoa & Goat Cheese // hummusapien.com

Today’s theme is all about clarity. Lettuce clear our bodies with salad greens because all we’ve (I’ve) eaten in the past few weeks are baguettes the size of my arm. Lettuce take allllll the clear pictures– ones that I don’t have to spend half my day editing. Lettuce plant face into a punnet of blueberries to boost our brain power. Major antioxidants are going on in this ensalada, people.

Blueberry Pecan Salad with Quinoa & Goat Cheese // hummusapien.com

Clear your mind and bod and most importantly, clear your plate! This salad makes that pretty damn easy.

Fork to face and repeat.

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Blueberry Pecan Salad with Quinoa & Goat Cheese

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Alexis
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 6 mins
  • Total Time: 21 mins
  • Yield: 3-4 as a side 1x
  • Category: Salad
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Description

This summer salad features fresh blueberries, toasty pecans, creamy goat cheese and quinoa for added nutrition.

Scale

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 3/4 cup blueberries
  • 3 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp pure maple syrup
  • Dash of salt

For the salad:

  • Heaping 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups mixed greens (arugula would be good too!)
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/3 of a red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 3–4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350F. Place pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 6-8 minutes, or until light brown and toasty.
  3. To assemble the salad, toss together greens, quinoa, onion, blueberries, goat cheese and pecans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  3. I’ve always thought you take the best damn iPhone photos around, but you are going to have a blast with your new camera. You probably already have it off of auto mode because you are a super star! ;-) (That took me like, 2 years or something crazy, by the way….)

    I could not love the ingredients in this salad more! Blueberries+goat cheese+PECANS! (why don’t I use pecans more??)+quinoa? I’m in! Can’t wait to throw this one together for a perfect lunch!

    Reply

    • Hahah thanks, Maryea! I am experimenting with manual–you would laugh if you saw my photo set up! Now I just really need to delve into photo shop…

      Reply

  4. Eeeeek I love this. This could easily become my newest salad obsession. I can see it now. Salad for days. With bloobs. Love your papa john’s ingredient. Also I’ve been obsessed with goat cheese like I want to adopt a goat just to have goat cheese at my disposal (also goats are pretty cute if they’re little… do miniature goats make cheese?).

    Reply

  7. I’m inserting all of the party emojis riiiiiight here! I’m so happy for you and your new acquisition! You’re going to be attached to that camera like it’s the only thing you’ve ever owned. I swear…life…changer!!

    The Poppa John’s thing…True story: When I was in interlaken, Switzerland, some gals from my hostel and I went to Hooters (HOOTERS!!) and ordered “nachos”, which consisted of a basket of Dorritos with a side dish of salsa. This is how I learned to not seek American food in Europe.

    I’m SO happy you’re home, my dear! I’ve been enjoying all your photos. And this salad?! Stuffitinmyface!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • OMG….doritos?! That’s insane! Not even any fake nacho cheese or anything?! FAIL. Thanks for the sweet camera words! I may just be recruiting your for advice in the near future :)

      Reply

  8. Beautiful photos!! Davs has the best photography tips… loveee her. I pinned this recipe based on name and initial photo along, but how can you go wrong with blueberries, pecans, quinoa and goat cheese? Answer, you can’t.

    Reply

  9. I read every word of this post! You defy all odds in this crazy blog world, great writing AND great pictures. W-I-N-N-I-N-G.

    Shall we discuss the time I cried because after a night at a Berlin club we RAN to McDs only to discover we got there before it opened. We sat on the steps from 5-6am just so I could get some french fries. Oh so shameful. I need to eat this salad just to make up for it.

    Reply

  10. Loving your pictures with the new camera! You have so much self-discipline to wait until after your exam to play with it :) I don’t see how this salad could get any better… all my favorite salad things!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  11. Look at youuuu and your gorgeous pictures! You’re trying to tell me that you only just started practicing with your fancy new cam?! Then I can’t even imagine how good you’re going to be in a couple of months! And heck.freaking.YES to blueberries in ALL things :D

    Reply

  12. These pictures look great! I’m having the same problems with my blog – it’s hard to take it to the next level when I’m taking pictures with a point and shoot camera. I’ve been trying to use my DLSR camera (a hand me down from my dad) more, but I’m finding it really hard. Looks like you’re a natural though!!

    Reply

  14. I just found this blog and this is my second recipe! I loved the kale quinoa salad. Unfortunatly I was forced to modify as my darling children ate every last blueberry. Nonetheless I used strawberries and it was delicious. So glad I found you and looking forward to making my next dish!

    Reply

  15. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you
    share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to
    shoot me an e-mail.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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