Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad Recipe

Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Read reviews (17)

Rate recipe

Packed with flavorful power foods, this salad is as delicious as it is healthy and good for you. Served cold, it's perfect for picnics and outdoor gatherings. —Julie Stockel, Farmington Hills, Michigan

This recipe is:

Contest Winning

Healthy

Quick

Diabetic Friendly

[X]

Rate Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad Recipe

Click on stars to rate

Would you make this recipe again?

Write a review

[X]

Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad Recipe

Prep: 30 min. + chilling

Yield: 10 Servings

15 15 30

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1 cup grape tomatoes
3/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
1/2 cup Greek olives, pitted and halved
3/4 cup reduced-fat Greek or Italian salad dressing, divided

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, spinach, cheese, tomatoes, beans, cucumber, pepperoncini and olives. Pour 1/2 cup dressing over quinoa mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Just before serving, drizzle remaining dressing over salad; toss to coat. Yield: 10 servings.

Editor's Note: Look for quinoa in the cereal, rice or organic food aisle.

Nutritional Facts 3/4 cup equals 184 calories, 8 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 9 mg cholesterol, 472 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 7 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 lean meat.

Originally published as Greek-Inspired Quinoa Salad in Healthy Cooking April/May 2009, p35

The History of Feta

FETA is a white, salty, semi-firm cheese. Traditionally it was made from sheep or goat's milk but is now also made with cow's milk. After feta is formed in a special mold, it's sliced into large pieces, salted and soaked in brine. Although feta cheese is mostly associated with Greek cooking, "feta" comes from the Italian word "fette", meaning slice of food.