Mediterranean Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad!

This salad makes me want want to go on a holiday to the Mediterranean!  I love the crisp bitterness of lemon and parsley that hits your taste buds first and then it softens with the sweetness from the tomatoes.  I’ve pair this traditional salad with something healthy, quinoa.  You can eat this salad alone as a snack or, pair it with fish, or your favorite meat off the barbeque.  Quinoa is know as a “superfood”. It’s loaded with protein, fiber and minerals AND doesn’t contain any gluten.  Check out this link to find out all the benefits of quinoa .  It’s fast and easy so let’s get started.  In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature; fluff with a fork.  Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine olive oil, sea salt, lemon juice, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, carrots and parsley. Stir in cooled quinoa.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 bunches green onions, diced
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• OPTIONAL items 1/2 chopped of black olives,  celery, red pepper and topped 1/4 avocado.