Quinoa Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

A reader sent me a link to this recipe, thinking I might like it. I'm glad she did, because it was great! The original recipe can be found here. I made a few modifications, so I'll post those below. It sounds like a strange combination of ingredients, but it worked really well together.

Not the prettiest dish, but it tastes good!

Quinoa Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
(modified to make 1 serving)

1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup coleslaw mix (just plain shredded green cabbage and carrots)
3-4 slices of cucumber, julienned

For the sauce:
1.5 Tbsp. smooth natural peanut butter
1.5 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tsp. honey
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Bring the water to a boil in a small sauce pan, and add the quinoa. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer until water is absorbed (about 10 minutes).

Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Add the coleslaw mix and cucumber, and toss to coat. When the quinoa is done cooking, add it to the bowl and toss again until everything is coated.  Makes 1 serving

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Quinoa with Spinach and Feta

Quinoa tastes great, it's very versatile, and it's healthier for you than brown rice (although it's a similar texture and taste). You can substitute quinoa for brown rice in pretty much any recipe.  And likewise, you could also make this with brown rice. This recipe is definitely for garlic lovers like me!  (This recipe that I created was featured many times on Sparkpeople too!)

1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
4 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic, sliced very thin
1-2 cups spinach, cut into strips
2 ounces reduced fat feta cheese, crumbled

In a small saucepan, add the quinoa and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and garlic. Cook the garlic in the oil, watching it CLOSELY so that it doesn't burn. Cook it until the edges of the garlic turn very light brown. When the quinoa is done cooking, add it to the skillet, along with the spinach.. Stir it together until the spinach wilts. Add the feta cheese and stir to combine.  Makes 2 servings.

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