Summertime Salad Series - Quinoa Salad

So we meet again...

Since we are almost into the summer season, I thought we could kick off a weekly summer salad series where we pass on delicious and healthy summer salads recipes.  These can be enjoyed as a side for a group or as a light lunch.  Also, with the anticipation (and honestly pure fear) of wearing a bikini very soon, I'm hoping these can reinforce a healthy diet while not falling into a boring, diet food rut. 

The first salad has a quinoa base with a lot of Mediterranean elements.  I love a traditional Mediterranean salad and thought I could give it more substance by substituting the quinoa for the lettuce.  This is very much an add until you get your acquired taste type of salad.  So I encourage taste testing throughout.  I will be serving this on Monday with the kabobs.  I hope you enjoy it as well!

Joanne

Quinoa Salad

• 1-2 cups uncooked quinoa based on how many you are serving (I recommend the traditional quinoa from Trader Joe's)
• Feta cheese
• Red onion, diced
• Cucumber, peeled and diced
• Kalamata olives, diced
• Slivered almonds
• Plum tomatoes, diced
• Red bell pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Salt & pepper to taste

Prepare the quinoa according to package instructions and allow to cool.  Once the quinoa is cool combine with feta cheese, red onion, cucumber, olives, almonds, tomatoes and bell pepper.  Drizzle with olive oil (not too much) and lemon juice until coated but not soaked.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve chilled.