Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cooking Time: 15 minutes     Yields: 6 people

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Ingredients

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups water

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/2 - 3/4 lemon, squeezed

1/4 cup (about 10) kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 cups cucumber, peeled and diced (from 1 English)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/3 cup crumbled feta

salt and fresh pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Unless the package indicates otherwise, rinse quinoa for about 2 minutes, using your hands to make sure all the saponins (the plant's natural defense against pests) are removed.

2. Fill a medium pot with the water, add quinoa and salt to taste and bring to a boil. When the water boils, reduce heat to low and cover; simmer covered 15 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered an additional 5 minutes without lifting the lid; then fluff with a fork and set aside in a large mixing bowl to cool.

3. While the quinoa simmers and cools, dice and quarter all the vegetables. Add the red onion, olives, cucumber, tomatoes to the cooled quinoa, and squeeze 1/2 lemon over it.

4. Drizzle the olive oil over the quinoa, then add feta, salt and pepper to taste and toss well. Taste for salt and adjust as needed, add more lemon juice if needed.