{yummy} quinoa tabouli salad

I love eating whole-grain salads. They are simple to put together — just cook your grain of choice, cut up some of your favorite vegetables, and you’re most of the way there. Dress your salad with some olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and you’re done. Yummy!!!

Quinoa-Tabouli- Salad makes a great meal all to itself, and it’s also a great sidedish or potluck contribution. With lots of crunchy vegetables and a lemony dressing, it’s fresh and light, with a little bit of surprising zing from cilantro. I love it!

We just cooked it last night together... It was so delicious, you should try!

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa, well rinsed
2 cups water
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated
1/2 cup onion, minced
1/2 cup red and/or green bell pepper, diced
2 medium-sized tomatos, diced
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
2 carrots, grated (optional)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 C. cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 cup Juice of lemon
1/4 cup pistachios or walnuts (optional)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Add a 1/4 teaspoon salt and turn heat to high. Once boiling, immediately turn heat down to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and let sit, still covered, for another 15 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with fork. Let cool to room temperature.

3. Place cooked quinoa into a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic, onion, pepper, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, optional nuts, optional carrots,1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, to taste. Mix well with a spoon or fork.

Serves: 4 mains, 6 or 7 sides