Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Quinoa Salad

I saw this a couple of weeks ago on a blog I enjoy reading.  Do you know Teresa over at Blooming on Bainbridge 
If not, you should pay her a visit, and tell her I sent you.  She is such a fun, bubbly gal.  She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and Soft Coated Wheaten named Doogan.   We have a Sweetie Wheatie too.  But her Wheatie is a movie star!!   Anyway, a couple weeks ago Teresa posted this salad.  She is working with a nutritionist and this was one of the recipes given to her.  Called a "power food" Quinoa is a seed, that has a sort of a nutty pasta taste.  I had not ever cooked it before.  So I was particularly interested in making this dish.  And, it was chock full of fresh and healthy ingredients!  Let's cook.
Not pictured above is fresh basil.  I was waiting on Mr. G to get home and bring me some.  I chose to use lemons instead of limes, simply because I have so many, and I also added fresh mint to my salad.  I love fresh mint in salads, and it is used a lot in Mediterranean cooking.  So first off, you need to thoroughly rinse your quinoa.  The recipe called for 2 cups, and the bag I purchased from fresh & easy, was exactly that.  After rinsing, add to large pot, and then add your cooking liquid.  You can use water, but I used 3 3/4 cup chicken broth, as did Teresa.   Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  I cooked mine for 15.  I didn't want it mushy, so I removed it from heat at 15 and poured off excess liquid.
Pour quinoa onto cookie sheet to cool.  Or just leave alone to use later, but I was making salad then, and wanted it to cool faster.  While Quinoa is cooking, dice up your veggies.  Purple onion, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  Scoop seeds out of cucumbers before dicing.
Rinse off your beans.  I used one can of black and one can of garbanzo.  Add to large bowl.  Dump in chopped veggies.  Squeeze juice of two lemons or limes into bowl.  Season with sea salt and pepper.  Add your ribbons of fresh basil and if you want, fresh mint. And feta cheese.  Pour over olive oil.  I used less than 1/4 cup.  Toss well.  Add your cooled quinoa and mix thoroughly.
It makes a bunch!  I think next time I would half the recipe.  So I packaged some up for my girls to try.  We  both thought it was delicious!  Greg grilled some burgers, and I had mine sans bun.  Some fresh orange slices, and we were happy campers.  I did have to make dinner, Paul Prudhomme style, sitting on this yellow stool.
Bon Appetit!
I hope you will try this delicious and healthy salad!

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, healthy one... how I wish I could have some of this in my cabinet today. Guess a trip to T.J.s in order. And of course, I know Teresa up in Bainbridge...he-he... I adore all her color too.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This looks delicious, Kris! I have not tried quinoa either, but have some quinoa pasta I wanted to try as I am gluten free. The recipe looks healthy and good, thanks for sharing! SO sorry to hear about your knee! That snapping noise does not sound like a good thing!

Pammy Sue said...

Sorry to hear about your accident, Kris. That's just terrible, and what a pain in the arse too, huh?

I will definitely try this recipe. It sounds wonderful.

I sit on a step-stool in the kitchen all the time. It's easier on the back when you have a lot of chopping to do.

Anonymous said...

Looks good! I still need to make your quiche.

Dawn said...

Looks yummy, I make something like that quite often and love it. Keep the great recipes coming:)

Holly said...

Glad to see you've been sitting. How is the knee today? Your pics of food are always so pretty. Hey....where's the avocado in this recipe? Shouldn't we have avocado?

From the Kitchen said...

You better believe this is in my "to make" file. I'm so happy to be going into salad season! First, I'm taking a vacation.

Best,
Bonnie

Stephanie said...

That sounds soooooooooooo delicious!!! I had read about quinoa for a few years and finally tried it a few weeks ago. Used it in place of rice in a stirfry and it worked out great!!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Looks yummy Kris. I hope your leg is feeling better.

Tammy said...

Yummy!!!!! Looks so good! I see avocado on the burger, Holly. =)

Genn said...

Oh that does look and sound SO good! Can't wait to whip up some quinoa.

Gloria Baker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gloria Baker said...

Dear, I love quinoa and this look awesome!! nice recipe! x gloria

Gloria Baker said...

I have to delete onwe comment sorry was duplicate! gloria

Lauri said...

I actually bought some quinoa but then didn't know what to do with it. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks yummy.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I love quinoa and keep some in the freezer all the time. Hubby won't eat this so I need to save it for when I have gal pals over some time! LOOKS yuumy!!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Looks very tasty!

Amber said...

yum! you always make food look so easy and yummy!

cheers

Tammie said...

Kris, this looks yummmmmeeeeee! I'm anxious to try it!

Sue Pinner said...

ooh yes l'll be making this later love quinoa and not had any for a while
Thanks Kris for reminding me how tasty it is
How's the knee this morning?...better l hope
Hugs x

Janna said...

Yumm! I just commented on your quiche with the potato crust without realizing that it was an older post. I can't wait to make that! I must have linked to it from Genn's blog. Anyway, all your recipes are so yummy and doable for me. Thanks for posting them because I'm a girl that lacks kitchen acumen. :)

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I love quinoa salad-especiaalt from Whole Foods so I am anxious to try this-maybe even today. Hope you are staying dry.
Hugs, Noreen

Linda said...

Looks yummy! How's your knee feeling? The quilt top looks very cute...I love the Bliss line!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Late last year was the first time I ver tried Quinoa. The recipe I used was quite tasty and I would love to nake this salad!It includes all of my favourites.

deb said...

we made quinoa with salmon a couple of months ago and it was yummy!!!!!! I love it!! thanks for the recipe, I will have to try it!

Teresa said...

Well hello there my SWEET~Friend!
Sorry it took me so long to pop over...I'm SLOW like that!
I'm glad I waited~
I LOVE reading everyone's comments about Quinoa.
Your salad looks perfect!
You got FANCY with the sprig of mint on the top!
I know this was YUM with real burgers...not BOCA burgers!
Delighted you loved it Kris!
Hugs to you from Bainbridge!
Give your SWEET~Wheatie a hug from Doogie~BOy!
Happy Happy Happy Week!
xoxoxoox