Gluten Free and Good For Me: Quinoa Salad

I made this quick and tasty salad for a party recently and people really liked it. It's made like a Greek Salad with quinoa and some spices in it. Quinoa is a super food and not just because it's gluten free and tasty. It contains a decent amount of protein and fiber along with a slew of vitamins and minerals. I've been told it has similar consistency to couscous. 

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad (pronounced Keen-wah)

Prep Time: Less than 30 minutes

1 Cup Quinoa 

1 1/4 Cups Water

1/2 English Cucumber 

2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes 

1 Pack Feta Cheese Crumbled(regular or fat free!)

Cumin (to taste)

Smoked Paprika (to taste)

Kosher Salt (to taste)

Garlic Powder (to taste)

Step 1: Put water in medium pot and set to boil

Step 2: Rinse quinoa. I do this in a tea strainer because that's all I have that the quinoa won't wash through. Don't skip this step. It will make it taste funny.

Step 3: Once water is boiling, put quinoa in and set to simmer. It should take about 12 minutes for the water to cook down... in the meantime...

Step 4: Cut up cucumbers and tomatoes. You can use almost any kind of cucumber or tomato for this recipe. I just like the English cucumber because it's in plastic, lasts longer and hasn't been covered in wax or man handled by strangers in the supermarket.

Cucumber, Tomato and Spices

Step 5: Remove cooked quinoa from the pot and put in a bowl or container to cool in the fridge. Don't mix stuff in or you risk having a cheese fail. I'm sure it will still taste awesome, but it may look pretty busted.

Finished Quinoa

Step 6: Combine cooled quinoa with veggies and cheese. Mix.

Step 7: Add salt, spices and olive oil if needed. I use the add and taste method of cooking with spices. I add a little... mix it up and taste it. Need more? Add more. Just remember, you can always put more in, but you can't take it out.

Serve chilled and enjoy! This can be eaten by a meal by itself or as a great summer side dish.