Cilantro Cucumber Quinoa Salad Food

CUCUMBER AND TOMATO QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together dressing ingredients. Dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead, then kept covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
• Rinse quinoa in cold water in a fine mesh sieve. Shake out excess water.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add just enough olive oil to coat bottom of skillet. Add drained quinoa and cook, stirring continually, until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes.
• Add broth and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add toasted quinoa, salt and garlic powder. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Quinoa should be able to be fluffed with a fork. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. (If time allows let the quinoa cool a bit before combining the salad.)
• While quinoa is cooking, wash/rinse cucumbers and tomatoes. Slice cucumbers*** in half (or quarters) lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out seeds. Slice. Cut tomatoes in half.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, sliced cucumbers, halved tomatoes, and chopped cilantro with dressing. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

ZESTY QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Whisk olive oil, lime juice, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes together in a bowl.
• Combine quinoa, tomatoes, black beans, and green onions together in a bowl. Pour dressing over quinoa mixture; toss to coat. Stir in cilantro; season with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator.

QUINOA VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the garlic and 1/4 cup onion in the hot oil until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and bring to a boil; stir the quinoa into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover. Simmer until the quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain any remaining water from the quinoa with a mesh strainer and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate until cold.
• Stir the tomato, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, corn, and 1/4 cup red onion into the chilled quinoa. Season with cilantro, mint, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad; gently stir until evenly mixed.

QUICKIE QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the quinoa in water for 15 minutes, then drain. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine quinoa and about 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a full boil. Cover the pot, and let the quinoa cook for another minute. Turn the heat down to very low and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Uncover the quinoa and fluff gently with a fork. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, put the chopped cucumber, cilantro, toasted pine nuts and the olive oil in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then add the quinoa and toss. Eat and enjoy!

CILANTRO-CUCUMBER QUINOA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine the quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of water in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 10 to 12 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed. Drain and run under cold water. Cool completely. Toss in the remaining ingredients and serve.