Favorite Quinoa Salad

 

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups water

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

¾ cup chopped red onion

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

½ tsp. fine sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Cook quinoa in 2 cups water.

In a large serving bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion and parsley. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and salt. Whisk until blended, then set aside.

Once the quinoa is mostly cool, add it to the serving bowl, and drizzle the dressing on top. Toss until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Season with black pepper, to taste, and add an extra pinch of salt if necessary. For best flavor, let the salad rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

This salad keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for about 4 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

This recipe can be found here.

Greek Pasta Salad

 

8 oz. pasta (your choice)

1 medium cucumber, chopped

½ medium red onion, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (15-oz.) can black olives, drained

1 cup grape tomatoes, rinsed

2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

pepperoni, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 recipe Greek Salad dressing

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add the pasta and cook al dente. Drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, onion, bell pepper, olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese and any other ingredients you’re including. Add the cooked pasta and about 1 cup of the Greek salad dressing and toss to distribute evenly, add more dressing if needed. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving. 

Greek Salad Dressing

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

¼ cup white vinegar

2 tsp. sugar

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. seasoning salt

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

¼ tsp. black pepper

4 cloves garlic

1 cup oil

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

¾ tsp. Greek or Italian seasoning

¼ tsp. dry oregano

 In the jar of a blender, combine all the ingredients through the garlic. Blend until smooth. While the blender is running, add the oil in a steady stream. Turn off the blender and add the feta and pulse the blender a few times (more if you want a creamier consistency). Whisk in the herbs. If possible, refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. 

These recipes can be found here and here.