Quinoa Salad

The weather's finally warming up here and with a change in weather comes a change in my menu plans.  I like to cook seasonally.  I can't imagine having chili for dinner in the summer on a nice salad in the winter. Luckily I live where we get to truly experience all four of the seasons.  Cooking seasonally keeps you from getting tired of the same meals over and over again because once you start to get tired of what's for dinner the season seems to change and there's a whole new menu to choose from.

This quinoa salad makes for a perfect summer meal.  It serves well with fresh fruit or homemade rolls.  

Quinoa Salad

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Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups quinoa*

Chopped veggies (see below for ideas)

Cook/cubed chicken (optional)

1/2 cup Italian style dressing (I like to use Bragg Healthy Vinaigrette.)

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.  Allow to cool in fridge for several hours.

2. Add chopped veggies to cooled quinoa.  Some veggie ideas include broccoli, olives, red bell pepper, carrots, radishes, grape tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, celery.  You can also add some cooked and cubed chicken too but it will never be missed if you don't.

3. Add dressing to quinoa and veggies and stir until well combined.  Cover and chill in fridge until ready to serve.

Printable recipe

Did you know?

*Quinoa (KEEN-wah) is considered a super grain because it contains 8 amino acids making it a complete protein.

-Amy