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Well guys it is 2013! And I want to clean!

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I know I am a crazy person! But with all twenty-one of our guest leaving today the house needs a good scrubbing, a trip to the store and some organization!

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It always feel’s good to get back in the swing of things! Well at least for me. I know some people who would argue that (and who think I am a nut case)!

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We have had so much fun over the last two weeks. They were filled with family and friends and LOTS of good food! Dinners have been beef tenderloin with blue cheese and herb butter, turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes, stuffed sun-dried tomato chicken with penne and brussels sprouts, pulled BBQ Pork (soo good, recipe soon!), my aunt Katie’s white lasagna and then there was New Years Eve.

New Years Eve I made a mexican feast! Filled with homemade hot tamales, Queso Fundidio, mexican rice ane homemade guacamole. It was a delicious way to ring in the new year.

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With all the cleaning and organizing I thought this light and yummy quinoa salad would be perfect to keep us going. It’s great packed up for lunch, a nice side to some grilled steak or chicken for dinner or even a good light dinner. It is chuck full of protein from the quinoa and loaded with tons of antioxidants from the tomatoes, olives, and spinach. Throw in some crumbled feta cheese and you will feel like you are sailing the Mediterranean!

Yum-oh! (No, I promise I do not watch a lot of Rachel Ray. It is just that my cousins say Yum-oh all the time and after two weeks it is catching on)

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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 221 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups sliced grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup spinach chopped
  • 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives
  • 4 ounces feta cheese about a half cup
  • 1 tablespoon kalamata olive juice the brine that olives are jarred in
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dry oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine the water and quinoa in a medium sized pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and let cook for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water. Fluff with a fork.
  • Well the quinoa cooks make the dressing. Combine the olive oil, olive juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sliced tomatoes, olives and spinach. Add quinoa and mix well. Drizzle the dressing on top and add feta cheese.
  • Toss everything together. Serve immediately or store in the fridge until serving.
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Starting the new year off right!

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Comments

  2. This looks so yummy! And it looks like it won’t add to my muffin top like everything else I’ve been eating for the last few weeks 🙂 Pinning!

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  7. That looks great! Thanks so much for the recipe! I am going to start making way more quinoa salads! Pinning this now 🙂 Thanks

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  8. Yum, this looks delicious! And it’s actually healthy, so my husband can eat this on his weight loss journey. Thanks! Will be pinning this for sure 🙂

    Reply

  9. I have never eaten or cooked with quinoa but really want to. This might just have to be my “First”. Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon!

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  10. Love this salad, I discovered quinoa pretty recently and still trying to accommodate my family with it. This salad look soo good and I am sure it tastes as it looks.

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  11. Quinoa is something I need to try. My son can’t have wheat, but I have yet to try making anything with quinoa even though I know it is GF. Looks yummy! Visiting (again) from TT&J Wrap Party. 🙂

    Reply

  12. Qunioa recipes always seem to turn out so delicious and satisfying! I’ve never tried a mediterranean style quinoa dish and am eager to try your recipe! Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply

  13. That looks SOOOOOOOOO good!!!!! I agree, your photos are stunning! What camera/lens do you use?

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

    Reply

  14. Gorgeous photos!!! Wow, you know how to make food look sooo good. I haven’t ever tried quinoa, but I love this salad, so good and good for you. Happy New Year and thanks for linking up!

    Reply

  15. This is one I’m going to try, it looks and sounds great! Since I love lemon I will squirt some lemon on mine. Thanks!

    Reply