Thursday, August 12, 2010

Greek Style Quinoa Salad







Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has recently become one of my favorite ingredients for salads, soups, and pasta recipes (as a pasta substitute). It resembles a grain, but is actually a seed of a plant that resembles spinach. It's a "complete" protein (meaning it has all 9 essential amino acids), a great source of fiber, and it's gluten-free. I made this Greek Style Quinoa Salad last night for dinner and it was fantastic. I used this recipe and added a red pepper, cucumber, cumin, and fresh flat leaf parsley. It was the perfect light, healthy summer meal.

43 comments:

Diana Mieczan said...

That sounds wonderful...I really have try Quinoa...It looks great! Thanks,sweetie and have a sunny Thursday

hobovogue . said...

KEENwa is delish. i always say ki-NO-uh....hahahaha. will try this soon. it's so healthy too!!

<33 [v] hobovogue

Kay Richardson said...

Hmmm ... you're making my eyes hungry (which doesn't feel all that nice actually).

Erica said...

Thus looks super yummy! Feta is definitely one of my weaknesses!

k said...

i've never heard of that!

torrie said...

I look cooking with all sorts of grains. One our favorite breakfasts is bulgar with a little bit of dried fruit, maple syrup, and milk- like a mix b/t oatmeal (cold though) and cereal.

[just a heads up- the link says "page error" when you click on it]

Same Sweet Girl: Memoir of a Southern Belle said...

I've heard such great things about quinoa but I've never actually tried it!!! I may have to try this recipe out now. Thanks girl!! Have a great day! :)

Unknown said...

that looks delectable. i love quinoa - especially in salad form. great recipe!

xx anna jane

Legs said...

That looks wonderful!! Can you try the link again for the recipe. It isn't working for me and I'd love to make this salad. :D

Nikki said...

Valerie, this looks fresh, healthy and delicious. I'm trying it out as soon as possible. I've been looking for some new quinoa recipes since I just bought a huge sack of it at whole foods!


xx
Nikki

Gabriel said...

This was so delicious! I can't wait to have it again.

Lisa Griffin said...

I have a box of this in my cabinet and had no idea what to do with it! Thank you now I have my dinner recipe for tonight!

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Yummy, looks good!

Cafe Fashionista said...

I think my mother would ADORE this. She is literally obsessed with Greek food; yet rarely has it. Perhaps this would be a nice meal to make for her birthday in October!! :)

jayme said...

i need to try this! i made quinoa with other night with chicken but i didn't care for it! but this on the other hand looks amazing! yummm! ...by the way, hot yoga was wonderful. you were so right by not paying attention to my neighbor because i'm certainly a beginner! there were times i thought i'd faint because it was SO hot but it was great. thanks for your advice! xo

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Looks yummy- I've wanted to try quinoa.

Politically Sweet said...

i can't wait to try this! and thanks for the pronunciation; i've had many debates with people about how you say it :)

Jamie said...

SOOO YUMMY!! I LOVE Quinoa! I love that you can really get creative with it!

http://www.glamlatte.com

Lindsay said...

Val where do you get ALL your amazing recipes? Another one I must try :)

Alicia Lund said...

This is one of my favorite summer meals too!! I love the refreshing / tasty mix.

Anonymous said...

Looks like it turned out good!

Bren said...

Looks yummy Valerie! It's so sad...I don't remember the last time I went to the grocery store, let alone cooked a meal! I feel like I'm just constantly running! I'm dying for something homemade and healthy! Hopefully soon...

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

STYLE'N said...

such perfect timing...bought some quinoa and haven't made anything with it yet. I bought it b/c like you said it is chock full of protein! One of my friends made veggie quinoa chili and it was amazing! printing this and adding to my blogger recipes file! I have more in this folder from you than anyone else!!!
naina

Ms. Emmy N said...

I have never cooked with quinoa, but that looks so yummy, and healthy! Two things that I always look for in a recipe!

Marcie said...

This looks delicious and fresh! I really love how you cook things that are easy but unique. I love pasta, but really do need a substitute!

xo
M

Poppies and Sunshine said...

This looks wonderful! So fresh and healthy.

20 YORK STREET said...

That reminds me... I should start cooking again. Please post quinoa pasta and soup recipes too V!

Annie said...

This looks awesome!! and super healthy!

Definitely make sure you try to do the breathing exercises at work, will be so helpful. I'll try to because I know I should and I usually don't!

this free bird said...

Val - You have to know I love quinoa! I see that little gluten-free sign on the box *tears of joy*

This looks so good! Have you actually tried the quinoa pasta? It is very very good.

Back to you...I'm gonna try this. yippee!

xoxo,
Carrie

Taylor said...

This looks very delicious! It looks appetizing and healthy! Yesterday I had lunch that sort of looked like this, oddly enough. I had Moroccan couscous with grilled chicken, zucchini, squash and broccoli! I love when people share their prized recipes!!! Thank you for sharing this, I will have to try it some time :)

stylenuggets said...

Great recipe. I've tried polenta-yummy but takes a while to cook. Quinoa is next for me to try. Hope it doesn't take as long!

Anonymous said...

I've had quinoa a few times recently... I'm still getting used to the texture, but it's a great change from rice!

Melanie@UnravelledThreads

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Never had it before. Can you pick it up at any grocery store? I was a strick vegetarian for a year and wasn't getting enough protein so I added fish and chicken back into my diet - this would be perfect for me!

Unknown said...

yummy. you can't imagine how much I love greek food!

Vicky
(new post: der Reiter & follow me)

Josie said...

I've never had quinoa but I really must try it -- apparently it's like the greatest thing in the world or something!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Chas said...

Yum, that looks sooo good!

http://fromdenimtodessert.blogspot.com/

Lynzy said...

Can I tell you how delicious this looks?!

YUM!

xo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

Nicole Marie said...

oh yum! i'll have to try it like that!

Stephanie said...

This looks not only healthy but extremely delicious!

Kisses,
Stephanie

Abbi said...

I am completely obsessed with quinoa; thanks for sharing this great new recipe! Can't wait to try it out.

paddle to shore said...

This looks delicious. I really enjoy anything greek!

haircutting in high heels said...

Thank you, thank you for this delicious recipe. Always looking for new ways to cook with this wonder food. Thank you for the follow doll, I got your back too!
Happy Weekend to you

Jessica said...

Yum! I just made this. Had to take a slight detour when I mistakenly used a non-microwave safe cover for the dish and suddenly smelled burning from the microwave, but otherwise I would say it was a success! ;)