
Many thanks to Stephanie Willaton for sharing this delicious recipe from her cookbook “Nourish”. You can reach her at this email address for more information or to order the book: info@nourishforlife.com.au
This recipe is a good alternative for people with a gluten or wheat intolerance. Pronounced ‘keen wah”, quinoa is a nutty, tasty grain that is also a complete protein source…
serves 4-6
OPTIONS
• Other ingredients that are great in this salad: black olives; cucumber; roasted pumpkin or eggplant; cooked lentils or chickpeas; seasoned tofu or chicken.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup white quinoa
Dressing:
• 2 cups water
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• fine sea salt to taste
• 2 red capsicum
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 cup tomato wedges, 3-4 cm in size
• ¼ cup+ extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 2 spring onions (shallots), finely sliced (about ½ cup)
• ½ cup fetta, crumbled
Rinse the quinoa well using a fine sieve, then drain thoroughly (make sure there isn’t any excess water as this can make the grains too soft) and place in a saucepan with the water and salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then turn down to low and cook for 15-20 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
Using tongs, hold the capsicum over a gas flame to char the outer skins. As they turn black, slowly rotate to cook evenly. Place the chargrilled capsicum in a mixing bowl and cover with glad wrap to seal – as they steam in their own heat, the flesh will soften and make it easy to remove the skins. Leave for 5-10 minutes, then gently peel off the outer skins and inner membrane/seeds. Cut into thin slices about 5 cm long.
If there is any sweet juice left in the bowl, save and add this to the dressing mixture.
Place the cooked quinoa in a large mixing bowl and leave to cool a bit – the grains will separate more as they cool down. Add the capsicum, tomatoes, herbs, spring onion and fetta to the cooled quinoa.
Combine the garlic, 1 large pinch of salt, and the lemon juice; stir to dissolve. Mix in the oil, then add to the quinoa mix. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary to taste. The flavours should be harmonious and vibrant!