Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Instructions

1. Roast the vegetables:
   
   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
   
   Wash the beets and trim any stems to less than an inch long. Wrap each beet individually in foil, sealing the edges to form a tight packet.
   Place the packets in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, until beets are tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Roasting time will depend on the size of the beets. Carefully remove from the foil and set aside until cool enough to handle.
   
   Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scatter the carrots and shallot on the sheet, drizzle with 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and fresh pepper. Using a vegetable peeler, peel two long strips of orange peel and add them to the baking sheet. Toss it all together to coat and then distribute evenly.
   Roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
   
   
2. Prepare the Vinaigrette:
   
   Working over a small bowl to collect the juice, peel the orange and then remove each segment using a sharp paring knife. Squeeze the membranes over the bowl as you go in order to get all of the juice out. Remove the segments to a large salad bowl.
   Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of agave, maple syrup or honey to the remaining juice in the small bowl. Whisk together and season to taste with sea salt and fresh pepper.
   
   
3. Make the Topping:
   
   Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1-2 Tablespoons of cooked quinoa and the chopped macadamia nuts. Stir/shake continuously until the nuts start to turn fragrant and golden brown and the quinoa starts to pop and crackle. Remove from the heat and set aside.
   
   
4. Assemble the salad:
   
   Use a paring knife to peel the beets, trim their ends and cut them into quarters. Place them in the large salad bowl along with the carrots, shallots, greens and remaining quinoa. Pour the vinaigrette over all and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the macadamia topping.