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I made this salad and brought it to a potluck. It was very, VERY popular. I WILL make it again in the future.
Julie Olson
Almonds and a Diet Coke. That was my sad lunch today.
As someone who feels that lunch is one of the highlights of the day (sandwiched between chocolate snacks and bedtime), having a bad lunch is more than just a little depressing.
To all you out there who can just “forget” to eat lunch, I can’t sympathize. To forget to eat lunch would be like forgetting about that big pile of miscellaneous garage sale stuff sitting in our living room. AS IF.
One of the most glamorous things about a teacher’s job is eating in a teacher’s lounge. Imagine a rainbow of educational goodies on every wall, the sweet music of lunchroom chaos every time the door opens, and the overabundance of smallish plastic sporks, which, by the way, are really good at making you look like you don’t know how to eat.
This is why lunch – the actual lunch – better be seriously good.
When I saw Sara’s yummy salad a few weeks ago, I knew it was the ultimate epitome of lunch. So I made it, and made it again, and made it yet again using a tiny bit more grains for my big lunch appetite. I love it. Love love love.
It’s portable, it’s healthy, it’s pretty, and it’s loaded with texture and flavor. The bulgur and edamame anchor the whole deal; the grapes, walnuts, caramelized onions, honey, and blue cheese are the crowning glory that makes it all come together. The fresh handful of spinach at the end keeps things feeling fresh and green. I like to feel fresh and green.
Don’t eat almonds and Diet Coke for lunch.
A sweet, nutty, power salad is calling.
Honey Walnut Power Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This honey walnut power salad is completely loaded with good stuff: edamame, grapes, blue cheese, bulgur, walnuts, spinach, and honey.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, washed and cut in half
- 2 cups edamame (I did a quick steam-in-the-bag variety)
- 1 cup uncooked bulgur or other grain
- 3/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- fresh baby spinach
- crumbled blue cheese
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add onions and saute on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, golden brown, and almost sweet tasting.
- While onions are still cooking, pour bulgur and 2 cups water into a saucepan; bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes, until most of the moisture has absorbed and the grains are soft enough to eat. Let cool for 15 minutes.
- When onions are done, stir into the bulgur so the butter is absorbed by the grains. Season with salt.
- Combine grapes and edamame in a large mixing bowl. Add cooled bulgur and walnuts. Whisk water and honey; pour over mixture and stir well. Add fresh baby spinach and crumbled blue cheese just before serving.
Notes
Makes about 8 cups, so each serving is 1 heaping cup.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: honey walnut salad, edamame salad, power salad
I am going to be taking some time off from ye ole Pinch of Yum next week. Don’t worry – everything’s fine. I just need a few days to do things like put my feet up and eat cookies.
Seriously.
Have a great week you crazy food lovers!
Loving this salad and the “bulk” of it! My dinner last night was popcorn and an apple. That’s sad, too.
Girrlllll you need a real salad in your life. Although I do love a popcorn dinner.
Awww! Thanks! I’m smiling ear to ear. Have a lovely week off! I’m definitely going to bulk up my salad taking inspiration from you too!
Thank YOU Lady! It was soooo good! What a great idea!
This seriously rocks my world. I’m like you….there is no way I would EVER forget about lunch – or any meal for that matter. I can’t even imagine forgetting!!
I watch the clock until it’s lunchtime, sooooo I don’t think I’m going to forget. 🙂 Glad you’re not a forgetter either!
I have NEVER understood forgetting to eat any meal… that is just crazy talk. Love the look of this salad!
Thanks Lauren!
In my life, I don’t think I’ve ever forgotten to eat a meal, EVER! My tummy reminds me, and I love food way to freaking much to just ‘forget.’ This salad is sooooo up my alley, like, I might need to make it today!
Seriously! How do people just “forget”?!? Crazy.
This looks so perfect and fresh and full of texture – definitely making this for lunch soon!
It was a textural wonderland!
I’m looking for more low-carb meals. Is that possible? Especially for dinner, any suggestions?
I’m a carb girl, but one of my favorite blogs, A Couple Cooks, has some really healthy recipes. I bet you could find some low-carb stuff on their site! http://www.acouplecooks.com
This looks SOOOO much better than my salad that I have packed today: spinach and chicken. Mmmmmm….. 🙁 I might have been pouting as I made it after I read this!!
Chicken is good, though? 🙂 Maybe we should go out to Chipotle some day. The students dont really need us there anyways, right?
I love grapes in my salad! This is a definitely a pile of greens that would keep me interested!
It kept me interested for like, 8 days in a row. 🙂
Looks soooo good!
Thanks Laurie!
Awesome looking salad. Love the grapes in it. And I agree bad lunches, or bad meals in general, so anti-climatic. Hate it when that happens!
Anti-climactic is the perfect way to describe it. Bahh.
Your salad has power written all over it….errr…and in it! This is a great lunch recipe – tons of flavor with salty, sweet and nutty elements. I could see how skipping a salad like this for almonds and diet coke would be disappointing, but look how well you redeemed yourself! Great recipe!
Thanks Julia! I think I might even make it again this week… loved it so much!
I need this salad.
I am also one of those people who could never “forget” a meal….never!
You would love this Emily!
I’ve been waiting for a salad recipe to catch my eye…this is it!
Salads are not too eye catching, usually . Glad this one made the cut!
If I brought this for my work lunch, I’d be employee of the month 🙂
Ha! Yes.
Walnuts are one of my favorites! Looks delicious!
Me too, as of about a week ago! 🙂 Obsessed.
This looks awesome… mouth-watering!!! Definitely on the list of recipes for MAY 2012!!
This looks seriously yummy. I’d take it for my lunch any day!
Yay! Hope you like it.
This is just pure beauty. I’m wondering–since it makes 8 cups…could you make the bulgur part and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days, just taking out what you need for lunch and adding the fresh spinach and blue cheese? I’ve never used bulgur before, but I really want to try this recipe.
Yep! That’s what I did. 🙂
This looks incredibly yummy!!!
Thanks Diana!
I love this salad! Knowing that I have a “good” lunch for the afternoon is sometimes all that gets me through the morning! This must make it into my routine! Enjoy your break 🙂
Thanks! I’m looking forward to it!!
That looks fantastic. I know it tastes amazing! Thanks for sharing it.
Lindsay, almonds & a diet coke sound like a very sad lunch! this powerhouse salad looks AMAZING! Enjoy your week off – much deserved 🙂
Looks delicious! Salads are one of our favorite go-to meals, especially sweet and savory ones like this one 🙂 (That’s not to say we don’t indulge in popcorn dinner from time to time…)
I love edamame. I love grapes. I love bulgur. I have never thought of putting them together. Brilliant! I can’t wait to make this. Thanks so much!
Not a fan of blue cheese. Wonder how Feta would taste?
Go for it! I think it’s pretty versatile!
This salad looks amazing! I can admit I have had terribly sad lunches as well, usually when I am very busy. The grapes and the bulgur seem like such yummy additions here!
Thanks Jaime! I loved it so much I’m making it every week now!