California Golden Raisin, Quinoa and Melon Salad

Luscious golden raisins blend with an ancient super grain, chorizo sausage and cantaloupe or honey dew melon for a surprisingly tasty salad.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
2 ounces Spanish chorizo, halved and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch thick half moons
1/2 cup California golden raisins
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon light molasses
1 cup prepared quinoa
1/2 cup cantaloupe or honeydew melon balls
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Cooking Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over high heat and sauté chorizo until warm and fat begins to render.
2. Add raisins, vinegar and light molasses; stir until bubbly and liquid is reduced a little. Pour into bowl; stir in quinoa, melon balls, mint and green onions.
3. Serve immediately or chill and serve cold.

Makes 4 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe; 1/2 cup): Calories 240 (28% from fat); Total Fat 8g (sat 2.5g, mono 3g, poly 1g, trans 0g ); Cholesterol 10mg; Protein 8g; Carbohydrate 37g; (Dietary Fiber 3g; Sugars 15g; ); Iron 3mg; Sodium 190mg; Calcium 36mg; Potassium 501mg.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of California Raisin Marketing Board.