Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Quinoa Salad

Several friends asked me to share my recipe with them, so here it is.  Firstly, for those who aren't familiar with Quinoa(pronounced keen-wa), it is a ancient grain with a nutty flavor and is a complete plant-based protein.  I discovered it here in Colorado and loved its nutty flavor and versatility.
Secondly the recipe I'm sharing makes a huge amount; I've taken it to large pot-lucks in the past and this time cut the recipe in half. I will share the full recipe.  Even cutting it in half made a large amount-enough for 6+ servings.  I hope you enjoy!

Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:  Quinoa Ancient Harvest brand.  1can of black beans, 1 can of garbanzo beans,
1 purple onion, 1-2 cucumbers, 2 large tomatoes, 2 limes, olive oil, feta cheese, ribbons of fresh basil, salt and pepper.
2 cups of thoroughly rinsed Quinoa, add to a large pot and add 3 3/4 cup chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.  It will look translucent.  Pour off any excess liquid and spread Quinoa on cookie sheet to cool.
~Dice up 1 purple onion, 1-2 cucumbers(scoop out seeds), 2 large tomatoes.
~Drain and rinse 1 can of black beans, 1 can of garbanzo beans. Add to a large bowl, dump in chopped vegetables.  Cut ribbons of basil.
Add in cooled Quinoa, the vegetables, basil, lime juice.  Add in less than 1/4 cup of olive oil.  Mix gently, add salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with feta cheese.
I find that the lime juice and olive oil marry the flavors well, especially if allowed to sit a bit before serving.

Someone else asked about the dessert I prepared and it was so simple-I just slice fresh strawberries, added in blueberries and blackberries.  We love Noosa brand yogurt, so I took two large tablespoons of Coconut yogurt and mixed it into the berries. I sprinkled shredded Coconut on top.  I actually served this dessert for neighbors last night who came over for cards. I also have to say my hubby isn't as health conscious with his eating as I am and he loved the Quinoa salad.  On Monday night we also added chopped chicken to the salad and it was wonderful.

Hope you enjoy!!!
Blessings,
Noreen

11 comments:

  1. Looks delicious. We love quinoa too. Golden Thanks for sharing the recipe. Golden Woofs, SUGAR

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  2. ((((hugs)))) and many, many thanks for posting these!! I love Quinoa and am definitely going to make this. It is so healthy!!!! I have a feeling this is going to be my "go to" summer salad. I think adding shrimp to it would also be delicious!! Thanks so much!!! catchatwithcarenandcody

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  3. Yummy... That salad looks delish!

    I hope you are doing well. Its busy, busy around here. Enjoying the cooler temps, but so looking forward to some sunshine. After all I think its Spring time. Ha! ;)

    Blessings, Amy

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  4. Thank you soo much for posting this. I am definitely going to try it. I just love to have something healthy and different once in a while. Dessert sounds good too!

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  5. Thanks for the recipes. They sound delicious to Mom. She gets some pouches of a quinoa mix at Costco that she loves too. But this will be fresh and even tastier.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  6. Noreen, It sure sounds like a healthy meal. I have never eaten any quinoa. I laughed about Caren's sign off. I thought it was code. LOL. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  7. We hope you got a taste of your mom's yummy cooking, Hunter!

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  8. I'm glad you shared your quinoa recipe, I am saving it to try! I've found recently that my tummy feels better if I don't eat white flour. It sounds very easy and yummy too! I also like your idea for the berry yogurt dessert, yummy! Enjoy your day, and hoping that the rains ease off, and that you can have some lovely spring weather!

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  9. I first encountered quinoa when I was a short-term assistant with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Bolivia, many years ago. It was okay, but I don't think I ever had it in anything as delicious as that salad of yours! :-)

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  10. Have to tell you! I made a "version" of this today! I didn't have enough quinoa in the house, so I used couscous AND quinoa!!! I also added a little rice vinegar with the lime juice.......I tasted a spoon before putting it in the fridge....it is SOOOOOO GOOD!!! Thanks so much! Having it for dinner tonight and might add tuna to mine, husband is having his with chicken. Thank you!!! catchatwithcarenandcody

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  11. I just saw this post this morning, and had made my quinoa salad yesterday - a very similar recipe, and so versatile. We really got exposed to quinoa last year in Peru; it's so yummy! I also do a really similar berry dessert...I guess great minds think alike!! Ginny Stokes

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