Simple but yummy Quinoa Salad has become something I make when I don’t want to cook.Made with the regular kitchen staples like capsicum, carrots and cucumbers this is one easy to put together, a salad with all the protein that I need.

Simple and Delicious Quinoa Salad

I maybe a food blogger but that does not mean I want to cook all the time. In fact, I am searching for ways and means to take shortcuts so that I spend minimum time in the kitchen.

Quinoa is a new grain to me. I was not willing to shell out the astronomical amount needed to buy the grain.  All because I was not sure will be liked at home.

But my bhabhi Pooja gifted me a pack and I must say I love it. I have made with it Quinoa Upit, Pesarattu with Quinoa Upit, Quinoa Idli (recipe coming soon).

Quinoa pronounces as ‘keen-wah’ is tiny bead like grain. Looks quite a bit like tiny jowar seeds (also know sorghum). It’s all protein and contains 8 essential amino acids.  If that is not enough quinoa is packed dietary fibre, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest.

For cooking quinoa  though Pooja mentioned to me the methodology I… yes forgot.

So Google search (LOL) and found how to cook Quinoa.

  Basic Quinoa Facts

• How much cooked quinoa does 1 cup dry quinoa yield?1 cup dry quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked quinoa.

• How much liquid do I need to cook quinoa?To cook 1 cup quinoa, you need about 2 cups liquid.

• How long does it take to cook quinoa?1 cup quinoa will cook in about 20 minutes.

• How do I make quinoa less bitter?Nearly, if not all, of the natural bitterness of quinoa’s outer coating can be removed by a vigorous rinsing in a mesh strainer.

• How do I make better-tasting quinoa?Quinoa is really excellent when cooked in vegetable or chicken broth. Also, add about 1/4 teaspoon salt to each cup dried quinoa when cooking. Try adding other spices and aromatics during cooking as well, like a clove of smashed garlic, a sprig of fresh rosemary, or a dash of black pepper.

• Can I use my rice cooker to make quinoa?Yes! Just use the 2:1 liquid-to-quinoa ratio and follow the instructions on your rice cooker.

  And here  which says

Quinoa is easy to prepare and its fluffy texture and slightly nutty flavour make it an excellent alternative to white rice or couscous. When cooked, its grains quadruple in size and become almost translucent.

Quinoa can be prepared much like rice. It should usually be rinsed or soaked before use to remove its bitter coating, so check packet instructions. Bring two cups of water to the boil to one cup of grain, cover, simmer and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ should have a slight bite to it (al dente).

So let us begin, shall we? The recipe is adapted from here as apart of the Theme Simple and Healthy Vegetarian Diet in Old Age.

Simple but Yummy Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad has become something I make when I don’t want to cook. Simple yet delicious.

• Preparation time: 10
• Cook time: 15
• Total Time: 25
• Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Water
• 1 cup Quinoa, rinsed
• 1 Garlic clove
• 1 Onion cut into thin slices and then halved
• 1 Tomato deseeded, and diced
• ½ Carrot diced fine
• ½ Capsicum diced fine
• 1 Cucumber diced fine
• ½ tablespoon Olive oil
• ½ Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large vessel.
• Add the quinoa and the garlic, stir once, and bring to a boil.
• Cook uncovered till the germ separates, about 10 minutes.
• Add the carrots and switch off the gas. Let it sit covered for about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl.
• Add the onion, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well.
• Serve.