Tuesday, August 17, 2010

RECIPE: Quinoa Salad

I don't know about you, but it seems like quinoa is all the rage.  Quinoa is pronounced Keen-wah.  It's a grain native to South America and very high in protein, iron and a good source of fiber.  And it's gluten-free!

I've been a little leary of eating it.  Honestly, it looks like bird seed.  I know I shouldn't say that, but it does!  

You know how much I love Melissa D'Arabian on the Food Network.  She has a show called Ten Dollar Dinners.  She shares couponing and stockpiling tips which is right up my alley.  Last week she made a quinoa dish.  She made it look so easy, how could I resist?  Then my brother and I drove over to the Dekalb Farmers' Market and they had a 4 cup container for almost $6.  Way cheaper than the little 2 cup box at Kroger for $5.  

I bought it.  I tried it.  I love it!

Here's what I did:

Quinoa Salad
1/2 cup quinoa 
cucumbers
tomatoes
black olives
basil
ricotta salada (or Feta)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon honey
salt
pepper

Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer to remove any powdery residue from packaging.

In a microwaveable bowl, add rinsed quinoa and 1 cup water.  Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 9 minutes.  Allow to rest for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare vegetables.  Peel and cube cucumber, chop tomatoes, halve the olives, cube the ricotta salada.  

Mix balsamic vinegar, oil, honey and basil in bowl and whisk.  Season with salt and pepper.

Strain any water leftover from the cooking process of the quinoa.  Add the prepared vegetables and pour the vinaigrette over the top.  Toss well.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

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I can't wait to try some other versions of this meal.  I'm thinking chopped chicken would be good.  I also want to try some toasted chickpeas mixed in the quinoa.  I think the possibilities are endless.

10 comments:

Emily T. Thomas said...

LOVE Quinoa - And the feta will be great to add flavor...thanks for linking to Beauty and Bedlam!
LIB
http://bit.ly/bYNiFE

Susie said...

That is one grain I have not tried but you make it sound so easy:-)

Mandy said...

That settles it! I'm going to try quinoa very soon. I bought some about three months ago and never opened the package. It's been sitting in my cupboard. But like you, I've been leery of it too. Yet I keep seeing recipes for it in my magazines so I must try it~ Thanks for giving me a good recipe to try out on my family~

Maritez Gonzales said...

This looks wonderful! I've always wanted to try quinoa, but never knew how to cook it or what to pair it with...I'm bookmarking this recipe to make. Thanks :)

Christina said...

HAHAHA! Denver & I didn't even know what it was! I said "maybe it's some sort of citrus?" But it looks good!

Jenna @ Newlyweds said...

Oh wow this looks delicious, what a way to serve it. I am so trying this.

Julie said...

This is awesome..I wanna try this one :)

Becky said...

I keep seeing recipes for it in my magazines so I must try it, thanx.

Sadie said...

I really liked this recipe. Will likely make again. I don't care for raisins, I put them in this time but might omit in the future.

Allison Clark said...

I keep seeing recipes for it in my magazines so I must try it~ Thanks for giving me a good recipe to try out on my family.

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