Pictured above is a loaded quinoa salad that has corn, black beans, jalapenos, red and yellow peppers, onions and fresh herbs.
Below is a greek style quinoa salad with kalamata olives, cucumbers, chunks of feta and tomatoes
And lastly, this one is a fresh take on quinoa salad with lemon zest and juice, cucumbers, toasted almonds, red peppers, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and chives.
So, use whatever ingredients you like or whatever you have on hand!
Below is a basic recipe for a lemon quinoa salad and you can add or subtract whatever you'd like.
Lemon Quinoa Salad
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1½ cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
1½ cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
3 cups water or chicken stock
1 1/2 tsps. dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp paprika
zest and juice from one lemon
1 can garbanzo beans
1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
1/2 bunch scallions, white and light green tops only, finely chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
1/2 bunch scallions, white and light green tops only, finely chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 1/2 Tbsps. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 1/2 Tbsps. fresh parsley, finely chopped
~ Salt and pepper to taste
Saute onion and bell pepper in a good splash of olive oil, until tender. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add quinoa to onion mixture and stir around and toast for about 2 minutes. Add water, a large pinch of salt and spices. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. Quinoa is done when it doubles in size, becomes slightly translucent and spirals appear on each grain.
1 1/2 Tbsps. fresh parsley, finely chopped
~ Salt and pepper to taste
Saute onion and bell pepper in a good splash of olive oil, until tender. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add quinoa to onion mixture and stir around and toast for about 2 minutes. Add water, a large pinch of salt and spices. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. Quinoa is done when it doubles in size, becomes slightly translucent and spirals appear on each grain.
Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, scallions, almonds and fresh herbs (if you have other ingredients you want to add, now is a good time). Season with salt and pepper.
Taste - Smile - Share
4 comments:
Looks refreshing and delicious
It's a great summertime salad with the lemon flavor.
And since you can change up the spices and ingredients you can make it all year round and tailor the flavors to the season.
I made the quinoa greek style w/kalamata olives, basil sundried tomatoe feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, a little purple onion, scallions, grilled diced chicken, bell pepper, and a lemon, olive oil, balsamic vinegar drizzle tossed in. Very very good - I thought. Plus I microwaved my quinoa with chicken & beef boullion and garlic.
By the way - thanks for the great idea!!!!
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