Healthy Quinoa Salad

A wonderful healthy Quinoa Salad recipe that was inspired by our nephew's girlfriend Allie, who happens to be a nutritionist!  Her recipe for this delicious salad includes fresh vegetables such as edamame, bell peppers, zucchini, black olives and red onions in a light lemony vinaigrette.

Studying nutrition, Allie learned you can get more nutrients from eating this Quinoa Salad than you can in taking just one multi-vitamin!  The key ingredients in this salad are the lemon and cumin , which gives the  tangy and refreshing taste to the salad.  This is a quick and easy salad to make all summer long!

Served chilled alone for lunch or at dinner as a side for a complete meal!  Everyone will love it!  Also, try our other Quinoa recipes under Gluten-Free dishes.

Healthy Quinoa Salad

• 2 cups of Quinoa- cooked,  (or one cup uncooked)
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh red bell pepper
• 1 cup of cooked shelled edamame
• 1/2 cup of chopped black olives
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped raw zucchini
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup of fresh Italian flat parsley
• Lemon Juice from 2 whole lemons
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Cumin
• 1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4 -6

Here are some tips:

• The quinoa is best cooked in chicken or vegetable stock; try a low sodium stock for a healthier spin.
• Cumin is used as an anti-inflammatory and is beneficial when taken in orally.  It has a very distinct, ethnic taste and is not liked by everyone.  However, it definitely adds a kick to this salad!
• The amount of salt, pepper and olive oil can be used according to individual taste and preference.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave us a comment after you've made the recipe!