Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese | www.floatingkitchen.net

Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese

This post was originally published here June 24, 2015. I’ve since updated the text and photographs. I hope you try out this sweet and savory Summer salad!

Phew. I’m in major need of a reset after this 4th of July weekend. I somehow managed to go to FOUR parties (toting these boozy watermelon wedges along with me, of course!) over the course of the Holiday weekend. Which is about three more parties than I would normally attend .

I’m just over here living that introvert life, you know?

So today, I’m craving my regular routine: gym, tan, laundry.

Kidding of course. But actually, it’s not that far off from the truth.

SALAD, gym, tan, laundry. That’s what on tap for today.

Those Jersey Shore kids were really onto something.

Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese | www.floatingkitchen.net

This Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese is one of my go-to salad recipes for mid- to late-Summer. Once I start reliably finding fresh cherries and corn on the cob at the grocery stores, this dish easily happens at least once or twice a week. I love how simple it is to make. And of course, I’m always a sucker for any recipe that brings together both savory and sweet flavors.

Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese | www.floatingkitchen.net

The quinoa in this recipe gives it some “oomph”, helping to make it feel more like a main meal. I can happily devour a big bowl of this salad for dinner and be completely satisfied. But it’s also a great partner to any and all of your grill-ables. In the past, I’ve served this Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese alongside some grilled steak tips and, not to toot my own horn here or anything, that was a meal that got two very enthusiastic thumbs up from all my dinner guests. Highly recommended if you’re looking for an easy, yet impressive, dinner for a warm Summer evening.

If blue cheese isn’t your thing, you can substitute it for crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese. Or skip the cheese entirely to turn this into a vegan-friendly salad.

Cheers,

Liz

Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese

Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese

At a Glance:
Yield: Serves about 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 ears fresh corn, husks and silks removed
  • 3-4 cups arugula
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 2 cups fresh cherries, stemmed, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

  1. Combine the quinoa and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook the quinoa, covered, until all the water has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand covered for 3-5 minutes. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork and set it aside to cool completely.
  2. Meanwhile, pre-heat your grill to medium-high. Rinse the corn cobs under cold water. Then place them directly on the grill grates. Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning the corn cobs every couple of minutes, until some of the kernels have started to blacken. Remove the corn cobs from the grill and set them aside to cool. Once they are cool enough to handle, slice the corn kernels off the cobs and place the kernels in a large bowl. Discard the cobs.
  3. Add the arugula, basil and cooked quinoa to the bowl with the corn kernels. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, salt and black pepper. Then pour this dressing over the salad, tossing to combine. Gently stir in the cherries and the blue cheese. Serve immediately.

55 comments on “Cherry, Corn and Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Blue Cheese”

  1. Stunning Liz! Your food photography just keeps getting better!

  2. Haha I love you. Typically, yes, furniture does help 😉
    But this salad though? It is everything I love in a plate of fresh, summery goodness! Pinned!

  3. Hooray for the new house!! I always feel like it takes a while to feel ‘settled’ after moving, especially until you figure out where everything goes. I’m notorious for deciding I don’t like where anything is in the kitchen, taking it all out and changing it completely (of course my fiance HATES this). Cheers to the new house and cherry season, YES!

    • Thanks, girl! I’m so happy it’s cherry season. And I’ll be even happier when my house is all put together!

  4. This salad has my name all the way over it. I am crazy about summer corn and cherries, and me and blue cheese are totally bff’s. Making this asap!

  5. So glad you’re finally settling in, Liz! This salad looks beyond amazing! I love salads with corn, so I’m blown away by the cherries and quinoa in here. This sounds absolutely perfect!

  6. I know, isn’t that great how things like that can just help you settle in (and sometimes make a room look bigger once it’s filled??). Love the salad – totally my kind of food.

    • Yeah, turns out furniture is kind of essential! This salad definitely has your name written all over it!

  7. Beautiful and what a great combination of flavours! So glad your new home is coming together 🙂

  8. The last time I moved, I went three months without a couch or chairs if you can believe it (by my own choosing of course, because like a true child of my mother’s, I was waiting for the best deals on earth to smack me in the face)…and it took a month for me to get around getting a table. I basically worked in the horizontal position on my bed, ha! So happy your home is coming together!

    This salad is so bright, cheery, and healthful! I could mow on this every dang day!

    • Yes, I’ve been laying in my bed or perching myself on a stool. Not that comfortable! Glad you love the salad, Julia!

  9. Yay! I’m glad you are getting settled in the new house, it’s always such a process unpacking and getting set up. This salad is everything I love about summer and salads! I always love the backgrounds and dishes you use.

  10. How exciting that you’re getting all settled in the new place! So many congratulations, lady! Also, this salad looks awesome. So full of exciting flavors and textures, I bet you don’t even notice that it’s good for you (my favorite kind of salad) 😉 xx

  11. Good thing you have this nourishing salad to help keep your energy up, Liz. Moving is a pain and being furnitureless is too, but look at the progress you’ve made! And you’re STILL publishing for us. Superwoman! Thank you! What a fabulous salad. Cherries with corn and blue cheese sounds amazing! Now if I could only get Rob to love arugula (I got some in my CSA this past week and while I’m impressed, he is not). Love your styling on this one and that dressing (cue the bug eyed emji)! xx

    • Oh, Traci. You are too kind! Maybe use spinach or watercress instead of arugula? That would be excellent I bet!

  12. It always take a while to get used to a new house and especially the kitchen. I still think my glasses are in the wrong spot every time i need to grab one. And light is still an issue. Oh well, it all comes together eventually!! I love love this salad girl. It’s like summer perfection.

    • Yeah, it will probably take me a year to figure out where I’ve put everything! Ha! Thanks for the salad love!

  13. It’s so wonky when you first more in, and your only furniture is a camping chair that was easy to get to. Haha! Glad you’re unpacking! I actually really like organizing and finding new spots for everything. Hope you feel all settled in soon! OMG this salad! Looks so delicious! All my favorite produce of early summer : )

    • You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I’ve been perching myself on a stool the past couple weeks! Ha! I kind of like organizing too, but then I get overwhelmed after a while. Ugh. Maybe you should come and help me? 🙂

  14. This salad looks so fresh and absolutely delicious, Liz! Sumertime salad perfection going on here! So glad you are starting to getting settled… and getting furniture placed! Cheers!

  15. Simplicity is key when your life is insanity. Simplicity is even better when its this beautiful!

  16. This is one beautiful salad. It looks fresh, crisp, colorful and just wonderful.

  17. What amazing food photography! This salad looks amazing 🙂

  18. Glad the house is coming together!!! I LOVE salads like this! And you make the best looking ones! Gorgeous!

    • Awww…thanks, Alice. I love making and styling salads. They are easy to make pretty when the ingredients are so fresh and awesome! XO

  19. Yummmmmmmm

  20. I saw your photo on Foodgawker and it immediately stood out to me! I love the way you styled this salad 🙂

  21. Love the addition of cherries to this salad, so summery with all this flavors, and the dressing is super refreshing~

  22. Such a gorgeous salad!! I wish I had a big bowl right now!

  23. Ooooo send snaps of the new furniture, but keep your back safe girlfrannnn! No hurt backs, but load me up with a salad, m’kay?!

    • Yeah, I can’t wait until I get my couch so I can sit on it and be a lazy bum! Wish we were eating this salad together for lunch today!

  24. The salad looks sensational. Congrats on the new furniture too!

  25. This is some beautiful first photo in your new place, and who needs furniture when you have THIS? I would trade you my couch for this! haha

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  29. You had quite a weekend… you definitely need a day off to recharge! lol Love your update, Liz! This salad is absolutely fabulous… and that blue cheese puts it over the top for me! SO good!

    • I love the tang from the blue cheese with the sweet cherries. All around, a great combo of ingredients! 🙂

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