Easy Vegetable Quinoa Salad

As promised here is another quinoa recipe. This one is super easy and takes no time to prepare, so make it the night before and bring it to work or school!

This recipe and many other healthy options can be found on the Eat Right Ontario website at this link: http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Recipes/Vegetarian/Vegetable-Quinoa-Salad.aspx

Ingredients:

Quinoa, well rinsed and drained	250 mL	1 cup
Cold water	500 mL	2 cups
Tomatoes, chopped	2	2
Large Sprigs Italian (flat-leaf) parsley (leaves only), chopped	2	2
English Cucumber, chopped	1/4 Cucumber	1/4 Cucumber
Chopped Red, Green, Yellow or mixed bell peppers	75 mL	1/3 cup
Vinaigrette
Extra-virgin olive oil	45 mL	3 tbsp
Freshly squeezed lemon juice	25 mL	2 tbsp
Hot pepper flakes (optional)	7 mL	1 1/2 tsp
Salt	2 ml	1/2 tsp
Freshly ground black pepper	2 mL	1/2 tsp
Dried lavender flowers (optional)	2 mL	1/2 tsp

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes or until the white germ separates from the seed. Cover, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove lid, let cool and fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, parsley, cucumber and bell peppers. Stir in cooled quinoa.
3. Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, hot pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper and lavender (if using).
4. Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss to coat.

Nutritional Information (1 Serving):Protein: 2.6 gramsFat: 5.1 gramsCarbohydrates: 13.6 gramsCalories: 108  Sodium: 123 mg
Alternative ingredients:-beans -feta cheese-edamame -chick peas-olives
Alternative vinaigrette:-balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes and 1 clove garlic (tastes great with olives and feta cheese)