Quinoa Tomato Salad
Ahh Summer– The best time to take your first steps towards eating mother nature’s Power Foods
Quinoa Tomato Salad is a great side dish for any BBQ . It’s perfect for summer because it takes no time to prepare, and it’s packed with summer produce and protein. Top it off with cannelloni beans and make it a vegetarian, gluten free meal! oh yea:)
When I mention Quinoa pronounced KEEN-wah I usually get the response-” Oh yeah ,I know that’s really good for me but I don’t know why or how to cook it!
So what’s all the hype about Quinoa? Well here are some of the highlights- To start Quinoa is a protein powerhouse because it has 9 essential amino acids (nutritional building blocks that help form proteins and muscle) it actually has more grams of protein (9) per serving then an egg (6)! This is why it is a favorite among the vegetarians and vegans because it serves as a great alternative to meat, eggs and dairy. Quinoa not a true grain but a seed is a favorite for those who are gluten intolerant – yup that’s right quinoa is gluten free!
As a busy Mom the big bonus for me, is that it takes no time to prepare and just boil the water add your quinoa and 10 minutes later it’s ready to eat. I usually make a double batch to use in a cold salad.
A little trick my Fit Foodie Friend Jennifer Wright showed me was that when making an extra batch you can leave the extra unseasoned plain quinoa covered on the counter. It stays fluffier if not refrigerated before adding your ingredients. Saves on the refrigerator space and believe me , space is important- I have a 1956 refrigerator – really!
Just remember to refrigerate the leftovers (if there is any) once you have added the ingredients.
Try Quinoa, Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette recipe and be proud of your self for taking another step towards health and energy:)