favorite lunch

quinoa salad with lots of fresh raw vegetables 

is a lunch i've been making for myself a lot lately

 

here's what i usually throw in:

tomato

red onion

cucumber

shredded carrot

yellow bell pepper

chopped spinach

parsley

feta cheese 

(if not using feta i'd throw some salt in)

olive oil

lemon juice

black pepper

i'll usually prepare 1/4 cup quinoa per-person 

if you've never prepared quinoa before, it's super easy, 

but requires a bit of prep time.

you must rinse and soak the quinoa because it grows a natural pesticide on itself. some people have an intolerance to this pesticide, like my friend heather, who can't eat quinoa without getting sick unless it has been soaked for 24-hours.

***

with a fine strainer rinse the quinoa for a few minutes under the tap

then soak for at least an hour

rinse the quinoa again post-soak

strain, throw in pot

add water

(1.25 times the amount of quinoa you're making)

 bring it a boil - then - reduce to low

cover with lid and cook for 15 minutes

fluff with fork and let quinoa come to room temperature before adding to salad

***

bon appétit!