Mediterranean Quinoa Salad (keen-wah)

My friend and neighbour Serena introduced us to the epic phenomenon called "Quinoa".

Quinoa (/ˈkiːnwɑː/ or /kɨˈnoʊ.ə/, Spanish: quinua, from Quechua: kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocerealrather than a true cereal, as it is not a member of the true grass family. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beetroots, spinach and tumbleweeds.
It is high in protein, lacks gluten, and is tolerant of dry soil.

-Wikipedia 

As a family of carnivores, we don't search out new and interesting ways to serve vegetables and/or grains.

She was kind in bringing some over, and we were pretending to be grateful in accepting her gift - but secretly I cringed at the thought of a plate full of 'healthy stuff'.

Until I tried it.

Now I can't get enough!

Thank you Serena!

The original recipe is on AllRecipes.com, but I made a few little adjustments for us;

You will need:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 large (cooked) chicken breasts  (cut to bite-sized pieces)
• 1/2 large red onion
• 1 large green pepper
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh chives
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tomato, chopped to tiny pieces
• crumbled goat cheese to top (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring the water, bouillon cubes and garlic to a boil in a saucepan.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed. (15 - 20 minutes)
2. Discard the garlic clove and scrape the quinoa into a large bowl
3. Genty stir in the chicken, chopped onion, chopped pepper, feta cheese, parsley, chives, tomato and salt into the quinoa.
4. Drizzle with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  Stir until evenly mixed.
5. Top with some crumbled goat cheese if you wish then serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

I would double or triple the recipe because it will go quickly - and it keeps well in the fridge.

The above will make 4 hearty servings.

Even if you aren't a tofu-eating-Birkenstock-wearing kind of person, I feel pretty confident you'll love this salad.
Cheese and chicken - nuff said!

Have a great one!
  
 



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