Nutritious grain, quinoa, is mixed with colorful veggies for an affordable and kid-approved salad.

Preparation Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes

Makes six 3/4-cup servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa, dry
• 2 cups Low-sodium chicken broth or vegtable broth
• 2 Tbsp Lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Fresh garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/8 tsp Ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup Fresh red bell peppers, seeded, diced
• 2 Tbsp Fresh cucumber, diced
• 2 Tbsp Fresh red onions, peeled, diced
• 1/2 cup Fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 Tbsp Black olives, sliced
• 2 Tbsp Feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer until water runs clear, not cloudy. Combine quinoa and chicken broth in a small pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer until broth is completely absorbed, about 10-15 minutes. When done, quinoa will be soft and a white ring will pop out of the kernel. The white ring will appear only when it is fully cooked. Fluff with a fork. A rice cooker may be used with the same quantity of quinoa and water. Cover and refrigerate.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and ground pepper to make dressing.
3. Combine red peppers, green onions, red onions, tomatoes, and olives in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
4. Add dressing to vegetable mixture. Mix in cooled quinoa. Fold in feta cheese and parsley. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours. Serve chilled.

Recipe adapted from the Recipe for Healthy Kids Cookbook created by the USDA and FNS.

Find more recipes here: www.choosemyplate.gov/myplatekitchen/recipes