Pumpkin and Quinoa Salad

I love weird and unusual salads and I'm trying this one today.   I'll let you know how it tastes.  I can't stand coriander so I'll substitute that for parsley, will leave out the preserved lemon and will toast some flaked almonds to sprinkle on top.

I also don't like the way they cook quinoa (keen-waa) as it can tend to go mushy so I put equal amounts water to quinoa in a saucepan, bring it to the boil and then simmer until the water is absorbed.   Turn off the heat and put on the lid and let it steam for 5 mins or until it pops open.

500g pumpkin, peeled, cut into 2.5cm cubes
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Moroccan seasoning
3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed, drained
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped preserved lemon (see note)
1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves
Salt, to season

Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan-forced. Place pumpkin, oil and seasoning in a bowl. Toss to coat. Transfer to a baking tray lined with baking paper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, or until golden and tender.

Meanwhile, place quinoa and 1 1/2 cups cold water in a saucepan over high heat. Cover. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Place quinoa in a heatproof bowl. Add pumpkin, lemon juice, preserved lemon and coriander. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine. Serve.

now you have my attention lol

The Doris does a nice raw grated carrot and beetroot salad with vinegar and a pomegranate molasses , mint and some pan roasted nuts , Its great

vege57 wrote:The Doris does a nice raw grated carrot and beetroot salad with vinegar and a pomegranate molasses , mint and some pan roasted nuts , Its great

That sounds great too. I used to do a similar one with apple added as well. I like fruit in salads.

I love baby spinach, strawberry, walnut and feta salad with a balsamic dressing. I also do a coleslaw with pineapple and seedless grapes that everyone loves. Sounds weird but tastes awesome.

Red Lily wrote:

vege57 wrote:The Doris does a nice raw grated carrot and beetroot salad with vinegar and a pomegranate molasses , mint and some pan roasted nuts , Its great

That sounds great too.   I used to do a similar one with apple added as well.   I like fruit in salads.  

I love baby spinach, strawberry, walnut and feta salad with a balsamic dressing.   I also do a coleslaw with pineapple and seedless grapes that everyone loves.  Sounds weird but tastes awesome.

I love feta, it would go well in the beetroot salad , I like my feta salty and sharp, no basil or herbs added, feta freezes well , I keep a block in the freezer and use it as needed

I love feta too but never thought of freezing it although I do freeze other cheese, especially parmesan.

Red Lily wrote:I love feta too but never thought of freezing it although I do freeze other cheese, especially parmesan.  

I hate to waste it, nothing worse than having yur heart set on some feta, pull it outta the fridge and its past its best, I dont defrost it just shave it off the frozen block with a good sharp knife and throw it into the salad . It may not be as aesthetically pleasing and nice little squares, but they remind me to much of tofu

I buy feta in little tubs that are full of brine so it doesn't dry out. The feta is in a little basket you pull out when you want some. I'll try freezing it though.

Can't say I'm partial to tofu lol.

Red Lily wrote:I buy feta in little tubs that are full of brine so it doesn't dry out.  The feta is in a little basket you pull out when you want some.   I'll try freezing it though.

Can't say I'm partial to tofu lol.

I've tried tofu a couple of times, it doesn't spin my wheel, maybe marinated and deep fried until crispy might do it lol

I like quinoa salads..i have one that has 19 ingredients in it but it is not hard to make.  I'll have to post it.  Hope i didn't lose it.

Well...here i AM. BACK with the recipe...which i had lost because i kept looking for couscous. I just happened to run across it and i wont make that mistake again...i hope.

Mediterranean Quinoa salad

2 cups quinoa prepared
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
1 cup chickpeas..if i'm out of chickpeas i use white canelini
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1/4 cup crumbled feta ( i use bleu if i'm out of feta)
2 T lemon juice
1 T white wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 T dijon mustart...i don't stress whether it is dijon or regular
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t garlic powder
1/4 t ground cumin
salt
pepper.

Mix it all up, chill, serve