Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese and Black Olives

If you read my last post you’ll know that with the abundance of  local produce now readily available,  I’m making efforts to integrate these fresh spring foods  in all my meals – so far no complaints!

A fabulous grain, that doesn’t get nearly enough fanfare in North America  is Quinoa.  Loved by South Americans for thousands of years (Quinoa originated in the Andea region), Quinoa is super-charged with protein, a good source of fiber and is also high in magnesium and iron.  If that’s not enough it tastes absolutely fabulous and is of course gluten-free.  Check out this delicious Quinoa Salad recipe. Feel free to add your fresh  favorite herbs and veggies as accoutrements.

Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese and Black Olives

• 2 cups cooked Quinoa
• 1/2 cup Feta cheese
• 1/2 cup whole black olives
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 cup cucumbers chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion chopped
• 1/2 cup green, red or  yellow pepper

Dressing:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Cook Quinoa according to package directions.  Let cool.  Top Quinoa with vegetables, olives and parsley.  Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese generously over vegetables.  Whisk all salad dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.  Pour dressing on salad 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Suat Eman for this beautiful photo.



2 Responsesto “Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese and Black Olives”

1. Aubree Cherie says:

   April 21, 2010 at 6:53 pm

   I’ve recently become addicted to quinoa – this looks tasty!

   ~Aubree Cherie