Recipe: Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Recipe: Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and cooked to package directions
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 large English hothouse cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 orange, yellow or red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
½ chopped red onion
1 pt cherry tomatoes, quartered
6 oz crumbled feta cheese
1 (15 ounce can) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
cup chopped Italian parsley
½ cup chopped fresh mint
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook quinoa to package directions with the 1/2 tsp salt. Transfer cooked quinoa to a large bowl, fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.

Dressing: Whisk lemon juice and garlic powder in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil.

Toss the cooled quinoa with the dressing veggies, chickpeas, feta, mint and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Rustic Roasted Beet & Sweet Potato Salad

Recipe: Rustic Roasted Beet & Sweet Potato Salad

Ingredients

1 bunch beets
2 sweet potatoes
2 tbsp canola or grapeseed oil
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 avocado
6 cups baby spinach leaves
Toppings
Maple Citrus Roasted Pecanshttps://marlameridith.com/recipe/maple-citrus-roasted-pecans/
Salad Dressings: Try one of these!

Directions

Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees F with the racks in the middle. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or oven proof silicone liner.

Slice the beets and sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick sticks. Place on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Drizzle with the oil and maple syrup. Using clean hands, toss with the cinnamon, garlic salt and pepper.

Bake for about 40-45 minutes until slightly browned, caramelized and very tender.

Plate spinach leaves with roasted beets and sweet potatoes. Top with avocado and maple pecans. Serve with lemon juice and olive oil or my Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette or Lemon Honey Salad Dressing.

~ Marla Meridith