A healthy summer salad that takes 2 minutes!

You probably know by now that I love quinoa and that the kid folk at Quinola Mothergrain are enabling me to feed my addiction with a regular supply of red, black and plain quinoa. I'm not just saying it's the best I've ever eaten 'cause it's free, it really is the nicest quinoa I have ever cooked - and I have done vats of the stuff in the past - and this one never looks like frogs spawn or goes all slimy like so many others do!

If you already eat quinoa, here's the quickest recipe in the world for you if you have any cooked leftovers.  (Don't forget to keep it in the fridge after it's cooled.) And for those who haven't tried it before, I've added a summary below as to why this gluten free grain is so good for you.

Quinoa, gluten free and great for vegans and vegetarians

RECIPE

1 cup of cooked quinoa - black, red, any colour you like!

200 g of cubed feta or sheep cheese (more digestible for lactose intolerant folk)

2-3 chopped fresh tomatoes

A handful of black olives

A handful of raw spinach

I added a pretty nasturtium picked straight from the garden

Add anything else you fancy adding such as avocado to turn it into a main

A splash of olive oil & apple cider vinegar or balsamic

That's it.......couldn't be quicker, couldn't be easier and couldn't be healthier! A great starter or main to eat in the garden or take on a picnic. (I was going to edit the black dot below out of the photo but thought I would leave it in amuse you - it was an ant rushing to see me!)

There are also more recipes on the Quinola site, I am ploughing through them so I can share them here with my Suzi twist but if you can't wait, just click here.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUINOA COMING UP

Quinoa salad, ready for a bbq or a picnic.

WHY YOU SHOULD EAT QUINOA

Quinoa is the traditional native plant from the Andes, dating back to the time of the Incas. It has been hailed as the “mother grain” because of it’s importance in the daily diet. Nutritionally, compared to rice, it's higher in protein, rich in calcium and magnesium and generous in its iron levels. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids making it a complete protein so perfect for vegans and vegetarians.

It's gluten free

A complete organic, vegetable protein containing all 9 of the essential amino acids

Contains more calcium than milk

Rich in magnesium - so important for women over 40

A good source of iron, and vitamins B and E

Cholesterol free

And low on the glycaemic index, so a perfect slow-releasing carb

Quinoa salad with feta, olives, tomatoes spinach & a nasturtium.

As ever, I would love your comments about quinoa and do let me know if you give this quickie a go.  More of my recipes can be found here and my very favourite, summer sald, along with some others, can be found on Gransnet, click here.

See you soon,