Fresh Lemon Quinoa with Herbs and Feta
Here is a delicious and colorful summer recipe, posted here especially for a friend from church (hello!) who has been looking for good quinoa recipes. I discovered this ‘keeper’ in time for my dinner day yesterday, on the blog Original Nourishing Traditions Recipes. For my family of nine, I doubled the amounts (and was forced to omit the lentils due to a series of miniature disasters; we’ll have lentil soup tomorrow). This is a refreshing salad with a citrus punch. It is fluffy with just the right bit of crunchiness from the bell pepper and onion, and full of fragrant herbs (feathery dill is my favorite!). Soak the quinoa the night before, cook the quinoa and toss the salad next morning, and enjoy a summer afternoon out of the kitchen.
Fresh Lemon Quinoa with Herbs and Feta
The following is my slightly adapted version of the salad. Read the original recipe HERE.
2 cups quinoa
soaked overnight in 3 1/4 cups water and 1 tablespoon whole, plain yogurt
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 large lemons)
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 teaspoons unrefined sea salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons minced fresh spearmint
6 tablespoons of minced fresh dill
black pepper to taste
1 large red bell pepper
2/3 cup of finely chopped red onion
soaked for 10 minutes in cool water to take out the bite
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 cup (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
grape tomatoes, halved, for garnish if desired
In a covered pot, bring quinoa and an additional 3 cups of water to a boil. Reduce heat to lo and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to finish cooking. Allow it to cool, uncovered, for 30 minutes or so. Fluff with a fork.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the quinoa with the remaining ingredients, except for the tomato. Chill, covered, for about 4 hours. Garnish with tomatoes, if desired.
Incidentally, this is the 300th entry posted on my blog. I am very excited about this milestone!
Photographs and text © 2011.
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
MAGELA said...
Thank you very much for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to make it. 300 entries already? Wow! Congratulations!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:40 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Thank you! Get ready for the next 300. ;-) (And enjoy the quinoa!)
Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:16 AM
BIG DADDY said...
Even a dedicated carnivore like myself really enjoyed this dish. Very refreshing on a hot summer day.
Thursday, July 14, 2011 01:20 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
I am so glad you liked it, Big Daddy. I think we should bring some on our next camping trip.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 02:02 PM
MAGELA said...
I made this salad, and it was delicious. My husband and I loved it. I will definitely be making it again soon. Thank you again for sharing this recipe with me.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 08:29 AM
HANDMAIDEN said...
You’re very welcome, Magela! I am glad you and your husband enjoyed it. This recipe is certainly a keeper!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:02 AM
HEIDI said...
Upon printing, this recipe is slipping its way into the “recipes to try” section of my homemaking notebook. Looks yummy!
Sunday, July 31, 2011 06:20 PM
Tuesday, July 12, 2011