Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

My husband and I cannot stop eating this!  The recipe has a LOT of ingredients, but it is SO worth it!
If you're not into "shopping and chopping," Costco has a very similar product with red lentils and mung beans instead of Garbanzos.  It costs about $15 for a large container and it's really delicious.

It's fun to play around with ingredients in this, I just like to think about what I would want in a huge Greek salad.  The quinoa can also be subbed out for orzo, Israeli cous cous, or brown rice.  I use half water and half chicken broth in whichever grain I use to keep the flavor above and beyond delicious.  If you're a vegan...skip the feta and use vegetable broth.  You're good to go!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: 15 minutes / Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

• 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 15.5oz.  can of Garbanzo beans
• 1 Roma tomato chopped
• 1 medium cucumber, chopped
• 1 large scallion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup pepperoncini rings, chopped
• 1 cup kale, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup feta crumbles
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp. mustard
• 1/4 tsp. red chile flake
• 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, broth and quinoa to a boil.  Reduce it to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for about 12-15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is soft and fluffy.  Remove it from the heat, transfer it to a strainer and run COLD water over the quinoa for about 30 seconds to bring the temperature down, stirring as you do so.
2. In a very large bowl, combine ALL the other ingredients.  I don't even bother mixing the dressing separately.  Add the quinoa and toss everything together for about 1 minute until EVERYTHING is combined and coated in the dressing.  Serve immediately.