Quinoa, Lentil, and Tomato Salad

by Brianna Honea

I recently served this yummy quinoa dish at a family reunion and a baby shower and everyone seemed to enjoy it so I wanted to pass it along.   You can easily double the recipe. Feel free to change it up and add other garden favorites like squash or cucumbers.  It is also good with pine nuts or chopped walnuts.  Enjoy!   

 Ingredients

·         1/2 cup red quinoa

·         1 ¼ cups water, plus 1 ¾ cups water

·         1/2 cup lentils

·         1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.  (Dill mustard is a tasty substitute)

·         2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

·         1/4 cup olive oil

·         1/2 teaspoon of dill

·         1 teaspoon garlic powder

·         1/2 teaspoon of cumin

·         Juice of 1 lime and ½ Tbsp of lime zest

·         Juice of 1 lemon and ½ Tbsp of lemon zest

·         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.  (fine Himalayan Sea Salt is great.  I use 2 tsp)

·         1 cup of sliced fresh tomatoes          

·         2 Tbsp fresh chopped herbs.  Use cilantro, parsley or basil leaves, whichever is your favorite. 

Directions

Put the quinoa in a sieve and rinse in cold water. Bring quinoa  and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil for a couple minutes then reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes.  Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Put the lentils in a sieve and rinse in cold water. In a saucepan, bring lentils to a boil with the 1 ¾ cups of water then simmer the lentils (low/med) until the lentils are tender, but not mushy, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool.

In a small bowl, whisk the mustard, and vinegar together, and drizzle in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Then add and whisk in the garlic powder, cumin, dill, lemon/lime zest, and salt, and pepper, to taste.

Assembly: In a medium bowl, mix the quinoa, lentils, tomatoes, and chopped herbs. Top the salad with the dressing, toss and serve.

Serve cold or warm. 

Optional:  If you have time, let in chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.