Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is an ingredient that most people are not familiar with, but this protein packed powerhouse is perfect for a light yet filling carb free meal. Quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids making it a complete protein source. It is also gluten free, easy to digest, a good source of dietary fibre, and is high in magnesium and iron.

I decided to toss the Quinoa with dried fruit and nuts to give it a Mediterranean flair that is exotic and delicious. This can be eaten as a main dish or you could omit the chicken and have it as a side. It's delicious either way!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Handful of grilled chicken
1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped dried figs
1/4 cup toasted almond slivers
Rind from 1 lemon
Lemon juice from half a lemon
1 tbs olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cooked Quinoa (as per package instructions)

Once the Quinoa has cooled down, toss in the cranberries, figs, almond slivers, chicken and lemon rind. Squeeze lemon juice on top and drizzle in the olive oil and mix well. Add some salt and pepper. This can be made the night before and kept in the fridge.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I didn't realise Quinoa didn't have any carbs.That's pretty cool. I really should cook the packet that I have! Yours looks delish :)

Chefspiration said...

Whoops...I made a mistake...I meant low carb not carb free...hee hee...just googled it to be sure as well....gotta edit that now :p

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I didn't see this post earlier. I want to try some quinoa because it's gluten free. I was thinking of a breakfast porridge, but it's good to know it's versatile. I'll have to try a salad like yours.

Chefspiration said...

Arwen - You'll love it especially if you are gluten free...I've done a breakfast porridge with it...I've used it in the way I'd use rice...either topped with curry or stir fry or cooked like a fried rice...and as a salad...it's delicious either way!