When it’s too hot to cook, or we have a busy week ahead and I need to make my time in the kitchen stretch, I fall back on some super simple recipes.
These recipes must be simple, quick to prepare with little hands-on time, and use whatever I have lying around in my kitchen or in the gardens.
Our favorite chef salad recipe hits the mark in the early season when lettuce is in its prime.
A bit later in the season, I fall back on this crowd-pleasing Quinoa Salad.
It’s full of flavor and gets even better as it sits in the refrigerator and melds together. This salad can be used as a side or a main dish. It easily multiplies up to feed a crowd as well.
Here’s my Quinoa Salad recipe.
Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa
4 cups water
1 tsp. sea salt
1 Tbl. Greek seasoning
1/3-1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2-3 Tbl. extra-virgin olive oil ( or avocado oil)
1-2 Redemption Acres cucumbers, halved lengthwise and chopped into half-circles
1 pint Redemption Acres cherry tomatoes, halved
6 oz. crumbled Feta cheese (or goat Chevre)
sea salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Cook quinoa according to package directions or follow this process: Combine quinoa, water, and 1 teaspoon salt in large pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. When boiling, turn heat down to low and cook for 10 minutes or until water is absorbed. Let sit for 5 minutes, covered, off the heat. After 5 minutes, lift the lid and fluff with a fork. Transfer to wide bowl or large platter to cool.
- While quinoa is still warm, add Greek seasoning, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Place in the refrigerator until cool.
- Just before serving, add cucumber, tomatoes, and cheese. Toss gently to combine.
Tips:
- Add cooked, diced chicken with the vegetables and call it a meal! I like to make this early in the week and enjoy if for lunch all week long!
- The quality of your balsamic vinegar makes a huge difference here! Get the best you can - ideally, imported from Italy. Trust me, it matters.
- Pump up the veggies! Add arugula, spinach, snap peas, radish, red onion, chopped broccoli or kohlrabi…whatever you’ve got around.
I hope you enjoy this quinoa salad! Comment below and tell me - what are your favorite quick summer meals that feature seasonal produce?
