Quinoa Salad

Recipe by Broccoli, submitted by cinnamontalbun.

Ingredients

• 2c quinoa
• 4c water (you can use any sort of broth if you want)
• 1/2 tsp salt

You can toss whatever you feel like trying in here. Here's a good combo to try starting with:

• cilantro
• green onions
• bell peppers
• chopped, cooked chicken breast

If you want to take the time and roast up a ton of veggies, too, they work great in a quinoa salad.

Vinaigrette

If you're concerned about calories from the olive oil, you can leave it out, or just squeeze some lemon juice over the finished quinoa for more of a tabouleh effect.

• 3/4c extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 2 lemons
• zest of 1 lemon
• 3 tbps of white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 1 clove crushed garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder

Either blend in a blender or shake in a small container.

Method

• The easiest way to cook the quinoa is to toss it into a rice cooker and hit the white rice button. Failing that, cook according to the directions. It smells like bitter ass when you're cooking it. Don't worry: it's supposed to smell like that.
• Let the quinoa cool, then add veggies, herbs, and chicken.
• Pour in the vinaigrette (you may want to just use half of it and save the rest for salads). Stir until everything is well coated.

Can be served room-temp or cold, and should keep well for 4-5 days.