Quinoa Salad

 Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Can you name that tune?

Well, I’m not a cat person and I much prefer gloves over mittens so I guess these aren’t my favorite things!  But do you know what are a few of my favorite things?

Fresh Basil

Red Bell Pepper

Quinoa…..these are a few of my favorite things!  So I’ve decided they should join each other and become one in a delicious salad!

Here is a great salad for your Labor Day picnic, cookout or gathering.  There is no need to labor in the kitchen for hours!  This salad is a quick and easy treat for a quick dinner or for a hearty side dish.

Quinoa Salad

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups Water
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 – 3 Tbsp Fresh Basil, chopped
• 1 can Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup Corn Kernels
• 1 Tomato, diced
• 1 Red Pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled (optional)

Rinse the quinoa before cooking.  Boil the 2 cups of water, add quinoa and simmer covered for about 15 minutes.  Allow to cool.

Mix the lemon juice, oil and basil in a bowl and set aside.

Combine the tomato, red bell pepper, corn, garbanzo beans and quinoa in a large bowl.  Add the dressing and stir.  Garnish with the Feta cheese.  This can be made ahead of time for a few hours or served immediately.

Mix up the dressing by stirring together fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and do this to a lemon.

Chop the veggies.  Take advantage of the summer veggies while you still can!

Stir it all up and eat up!

Add Feta cheese for an extra kick for the cheese lovers!

Whitney