Quinoa Salad - Picnic

We are going on a picnic and I am bringing Quinoa Salad.  Each year, the lovely and lively Louise from Months of Edible Creations invites all of us to a picnic and even gives us a lovely letter.  Each of takes our letter (we select it) and make something to bring to the picnic and we share.  I welcome you to take one of the dishes of quinoa salad.  We had it for dinner, tonight, and it was yummy.


It is easy to make.  There is a lot of chopping of the vegetables but putting it together is a snap.

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Quinoa Salad - adapted from the Fatfree Vegan Kitchen

Quinoa:
1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed very well (Don't skip this step.)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon of your seasoning of choice (garlic, oregano, really anything)
1/8 tsp. salt (optional)


Vegetables:
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 medium-large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 small red pepper, seeded and diced
1 small orange pepper, seeded and diced (I used mini peppers for both red and orange)
1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup parsley -- minced
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced (reserve a few slices for garnish)

Dressing:
1 tablespoon lime (not lemon)
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable broth
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Bring water to a boil. Lower the flame and add quinoa. Cook for 12 minutes. I ended turning it off when there was a little water left and letting it stand. The quinoa absorbed the water and it was just right. Fluff the quinoa and allow it to cool.

Combine all of the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the quinoa and mix well.

Whisk the dressing ingredients together and pour over the salad. Mix well and refrigerate until chilled.

Garnish with avocado slices and serve. Makes about 8 servings.

Truly a lovely salad.

A- Artichokes Steamed and Dressed with Mayonnaise
B- Baked Beans
C- Cauliflower Tabbouleh
D- Dunkin’ Donuts ~ With Maple syrup & Honey Frosting
E- Eggplant Casserole
F- Frosty Summer Salad with Cranberry, Pineapple & Beets
J- Jubilee Sandwich
K- Key Lime and Ambarella Juice
L- Limoncello Pine Nut Biscotti
M- Mini Meringue Kisses
N- Nougat Brownies
O- Ozark Pudding 
P- Paletas de Chabacano y Manzanille (Apricot-Chamomile Popsicles)
Q- Quinoa Salad

Linked to Allergy Free Wednesdays      Gluten Free Wednesdays                Real Food Wednesdays

Cast Party Wednesdays           This Chick Cooks       Tastetastic Thursday     Sweet Treats and Swanky Stuff    Pennywise Platter Thursday    Frugal food thursdays      Tastetastic Thursday (A little nosh),       Full Plate Thursday     Summer Salad Sundays      Foodie Friday