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Quinoa Bowls with Snap Peas, Strawberries, and Basil Vinaigrette

By Sara Mayer

Published on May 5, 2026

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Quinoa Bowls with Snap Peas, Strawberries, and Basil Vinaigrette

Ingredients

8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and halved crosswise1¼ teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking peas and quinoa1½ cups prewashed white quinoa 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons sugar ⅔ cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided½ cup slivered almonds ½ teaspoon coriander seeds ½ teaspoon fennel seeds 10 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered3 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled (¾ cup)

Before You Begin

If you buy unwashed quinoa, rinse it and then spread it out on a clean dish towel to dry for 15 minutes.

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Fill bowl halfway with ice and water. Add 8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and halved crosswise, and 2 teaspoons table salt to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer peas to ice bath. Once peas are chilled, transfer to paper towel–lined plate.
  2. Return water to boil. Add 1½ cups prewashed white quinoa and cook until tender with slight chew, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain quinoa and return to pot; cover and set aside.
  3. Pulse 1 cup packed basil leaves, 3 tablespoons chopped chives, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in blender until roughly chopped, 5 to 7 pulses. With blender running, slowly drizzle in ⅔ cup vegetable oil until emulsified, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
  4. Cook ½ cup slivered almonds, ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes; transfer to bowl.
  5. Portion quinoa into individual serving bowls. Top with snap peas, 10 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered, and ¾ cup crumbled ricotta salata. Drizzle with vinaigrette and sprinkle with nut mixture. Serve.
Quinoa Bowls with Snap Peas, Strawberries, and Basil Vinaigrette
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Ashley Moore.

Quinoa Bowls with Snap Peas, Strawberries, and Basil Vinaigrette

Headshot of Sara Mayer
By Sara Mayer

Published on May 5, 2026

Save

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

Why This Recipe Works

This colorful, fresh grain bowl radiates summer vibes. Nutty and nutritious quinoa is the perfect base for strawberries and snap peas dressed with a basil vinaigrette. We make the vinaigrette in the blender to integrate the fresh herbs and aromatics perfectly. To deepen the flavor of the bowl and introduce aromatic warmth, we toast slivered almonds with coriander and fennel seeds until golden and fragrant. Salty ricotta salata provides creamy richness and a firm bite that holds up well against the softer ingredients.

Before You Begin

If you buy unwashed quinoa, rinse it and then spread it out on a clean dish towel to dry for 15 minutes.

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Fill bowl halfway with ice and water. Add 8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and halved crosswise, and 2 teaspoons table salt to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer peas to ice bath. Once peas are chilled, transfer to paper towel–lined plate.
  2. Return water to boil. Add 1½ cups prewashed white quinoa and cook until tender with slight chew, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain quinoa and return to pot; cover and set aside.
  3. Pulse 1 cup packed basil leaves, 3 tablespoons chopped chives, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in blender until roughly chopped, 5 to 7 pulses. With blender running, slowly drizzle in ⅔ cup vegetable oil until emulsified, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
  4. Cook ½ cup slivered almonds, ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes; transfer to bowl.
  5. Portion quinoa into individual serving bowls. Top with snap peas, 10 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered, and ¾ cup crumbled ricotta salata. Drizzle with vinaigrette and sprinkle with nut mixture. Serve.
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