Simple Quinoa Salad

Although this meal was about comfort foods  and fish cakes, for me I wanted to really go for the gold and pack it with health as well as flavor. Quinoa is not something I had as a kid or even as a young adult. Its something I saw on tv and in the magazines and wondered hmm, I wonder what its like? Up until recently it was pretty un-attainable, I had no idea where to find it. A neighbor actually bought me a box a few years ago now and since then, well  I've been relatively obsessed. Its a little less calories than rice but about 10 more grams of protein per dry cup. Can't beat that and the taste is similar to cous cous  (which I LOVE) if cooked right. With vinegar and oil? Out of control deliciousness. I often make rice and pasta salads with the most basic vinegairette. This case was really no exception. I love the simplicity, I love how all of the flavors marry. I love that it tasted great, had veg and was not a million and forty two calories. 

Red pepper, cucumber, beans or other vegetables may be added. Adding beans, nuts or seeds would make this a good vegetarian side or lunch salad. (black beans, chickpeas, pine nuts, almonds etc.) For a vegetarian dinner option bean patty's would be a good substitution.

1 cup quinoa 

2 cups cold water

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake

Dressing:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons brown mustard (or dijon)

1 teaspoon garlic powder 

pepper and salt to taste

1/2 cup onion diced

1 cup green pepper chopped

In a sauce pot combine water and quinoa. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.  Bring to a boil cover and cook for 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and leave the lid on for 5 minutes. Remove lid and using a fork fluff the quinoa.

Combine dressing ingredients and vegetables. Toss cooked quinoa with it gently. You want the quinoa to be slightly warm still so it absorbs the flavor. 

For a dryer or chewier quinoa: you can reduce the amount of water to 1 1/2 cups and reduce or omit the soaking time.

About 4 servings, approximately 267 calories per serving