Quinoa Greek Salad

I copied out this recipe at a coffee group potluck because it was that good. I had never really tried quinoa before I had this salad because I was afraid of it. I know that sounds ridiculous but I was afraid I wouldn't like it. And I hate when I don't like a food. But L. brought in this gorgeous looking salad and when she said it was made with quinoa, I knew this was my chance. I couldn't stop eating it. It was so fresh and light. A really beautiful summer salad. Oddly enough, I didn't make it again until this past week. It makes a large dish and I'm the only one who eats it.

I have decided to eat better this year, so it was the perfect thing to make. It was suggested to me years ago by a doctor to remove carbs from 1 meal a day. Pretty simple but for whatever reason, I don't always. It's more about convenience and not making more than 1 meal. But now I'm making more of an effort.

Quinoa Greek Salad
source: my friend L.

Ingredients
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 diced English cucumber
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup diced red onion
2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/3 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
pinch pepper

Bring the stock to a boil and stir in the quinoa. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large serving dish and set aside to cool.
Once cool, add the veggies and feta.
For the dressing: Whisk the lemon zest and juice, oil, garlic, basil/parsley, oregano and pepper in a bowl.
You can make the dressing while the quinoa is cooking.
Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like.

This makes a lot of salad, perfect for a pot luck.

Happy cooking!

Super fantastic flour tortillas

We are big fans of the tortilla in our house. We LOVE them. I can put pretty much anything into a tortilla and hand it to my kids. So I've tried my share of tortillas and had a tough time finding one that wouldn't rip or fall apart. That's when a fellow foodie (who is also a great friend) shared her family's tortilla recipe on her blog. I had tried a low fat recipe about a week before I tried hers and it was OK, but of course, still cracked when folded. So I had high hopes for this recipe. And it delivered. Big time!!!!
It's a little work, but definitely worth it. They taste fantastic. I hate when I don't have time to make them and have to go back to packaged tortillas, they are that good. I haven't tried freezing them yet as we eat them once they are made. But I will get to it soon. Planning some freezer days coming up.
Try this recipe as soon as you can. Let me know if you love it as much as I do!

Easy Flour Tortillas
source: http://frenchpressing.wordpress.com
Makes approx. 9 tortillas

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup warm water

Put the flour into a mixing bowl and cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until it resembles small peas.
Add enough water so that the dough starts to come together. You may not need all the water or you may need more - depends on your flour.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead a few times until smooth.
Make about 9 balls and brush with some melted shortening. Let rest, covered, for 20 mins.
Roll out the balls one at a time and cook in a frying pan over medium heat. Keep a close eye on your tortilla, once you see some air pockets and a little golden colour, flip to cook the other side. Be sure to check for colouring again and then remove from pan.
I like to keep the tortillas warm, so I place them in a clean tea towel while I roll and cook each one.

Happy cooking!!