nutritional information

Per 1/2-cup serving:

  • Calories: 167
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 53 mg
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 2 g
Vegan Gluten-Free

Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Serves 12

30 minutes or fewer

This recipe, created by Leah Matthews, won Best Side Dish in VT's 2011 Chefs' Challenge. Matthews came up with this tabbouleh-inspired salad while working as a sous chef at Twist, a Rhode Island restaurant specializing in gluten-free food. When the summer menu needed an additional item, she worked out a recipe in a matter of hours. "I grabbed seasonal and versatile ingredients from the refrigerator, knowing that cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon, and parsley form a flavor profile," she says. Using quinoa instead of wheat-based bulgur or couscous keeps the dish gluten-free.
  • 1 ½ cups quinoa
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 English cucumber, peeled and finely diced (2½ cups)
  • 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced (¾ cup)
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped (½ cup)
  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbs. lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1. Bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil. Add quinoa, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 12 to 14 minutes, or 
until quinoa is tender and small “tails” bloom from grains.

2. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread pine nuts on baking sheet, and toast 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool, then transfer to large serving bowl.

3. Drain quinoa, and rinse under cold running water. Drain again. Add quinoa to pine nuts, and 
stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and parsley. Fold in oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

January/February 2011 p.74

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comments

Verygood!

maribeth - 2013-05-02 12:14:35

I always bought this at the deli and came across your recipe. turned out delicious and so easy to make.i will make it at home from now on. in fact it was just a tad tastier then the deli.and I can add what I like too.thank you soooooo much for the recipe. it goes great with chicken breast strips if your not vegan.

alice - 2013-04-06 23:52:34

Half parsley, half cilantro Lime juice instead of lemon Added feta and toasted walnuts

ciera671 - 2013-03-30 23:22:30

I make my quinoa in a rice cooker on Sunday on use it throughout the week. This was an easy mix up and tastes wonderful! Kalamata olives sounds good. I think I'll try that too next time. Go Vegan for peace!

Lyn - 2013-02-11 16:55:13

A lot protein

narda - 2012-11-08 22:13:30

Yummy

Dinah Garrett - 2012-09-23 18:56:03

This kind of sounds like tabbouleh, can't wait to try it!

Kaleen Colvin-Sanders - 2012-08-05 16:50:41

This is so delicious and healthy, and it looks beautiful. I made a few substitions, though. I omitted the lemon zest (the juice did enough for me as far as flavor), and used slivered almonds instead of pine nuts. I didn't toast the nuts because they have better nutrition raw. I also soaked the quinoa with water and lemon juice overnight. This helps to break down anti-nutrients and it makes the grain more digestable. Thanks for the great recipe! I am serving it to a semi-vegetarian crowd tonight. I expect it to be a hit.

Abby Yeini - 2012-05-26 22:13:21

Made 05/12 USTA tennis team loved it and everybody in the house loved it too. So glad Costco has the Quinoa and Pine nuts. I agree with tommye's comment , when you put that much water it has to be drained which is an extra step. If you just do the typical ratio of Quinoa to water (2/1) then no need to drain.

carlanna leung - 2012-05-23 16:27:32

I made this for a Passover seder and it was a big hit. I omitted the pine nuts, but added feta and a bit of mint. Next time I think that I'll add more mint (perhaps a 1/4 cup finely chopped) as well as a bit more lemon zest and lemon juice.

Amy - 2012-04-09 05:33:08

Three to four minutes when toasting pine nuts was far too long for me... I ended up burning them all. I suggest maybe one to two minutes.

Sara Wessel - 2012-04-01 20:28:01

Add a little olive oil, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar and any kind of small-dice veggies, beans, nuts, etc. to cooked quinoa and you have a wonderful meal - can't go wrong with quinoa (a complete protein too!). Hot or cold - just as good!

Anonymous - 2012-01-03 10:50:05

yes ...it's really good with garbanzo beans

kyliesgma - 2011-10-09 18:04:49

This is delicious! I love adding a little cooked zucchini, cauliflower, and kalamata olives too. My kids even love it.

Brittney - 2011-09-15 15:06:45

Made this and love it!

Kim - 2011-09-03 16:40:00