Most of the time, when I create a quinoa recipe, the inspiration comes from somewhere else. I will see a great rice recipe and thing “Hmmm…I bet that would be better with quinoa.” And then I have to add a few things and spice it up a bit. Since cooking quinoa is such a big part of my life, I am always on the lookout for ideas for new quinoa recipes.
Lately however, I have been getting more creative making my own recipes using quinoa. Ok, that’s a lie. Lately it has been 115+ degrees here and I haven’t wanted to go to the store. Since I normally plan my menus out, my laziness has required me to be more creative.
For those of you who don’t already know, I have some really strange eating habits. One of them is that I love salad for breakfast. I am not even talking about quinoa salad. Just a regular salad topped with my own balsamic vinegar dressing. My boys call it mom’s “stinky salad” and refuse to sit with me while I eat it. It doesn’t hurt my feelings – the adults in the family love it. In fact, when I moved away the one thing that my mom asked me for was my dressing recipe.
I must confess – I don’t actually measure anything when I make the recipe. I just eyeball it and make it according to my mood. Sometimes I will add more garlic or cayenne pepper.
Anyways, faced with nothing much in the house I decided to finally try making a quinoa recipe with my balsamic vinegar salad dressing. Since I have also been trying to come up with more red quinoa recipes, I made this dish with red quinoa. I have found that using this method of cooking quinoa (boiling and steaming) is especially effective when making a red quinoa recipe. As a general rule, red quinoa takes a bit longer than white quinoa to cokk.
My husband’s response to this quinoa recipe was “What took you so long??? This is the best quinoa yet!” I have to agree with him. I really like this quinoa salad recipe. (If I do say so myself!)
Balsamic Quinoa Salad
½ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ – ½ cup best quality extra virgin olive oil (depending on if you are watching calories)
2 T Dijon mustard
6 cloves of garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups quinoa
Bouillon cube
5 Sun Dried Tomatoes (Not in oil)
1 red pepper, chopped
4 oz blue cheese
1 can black beans
- Make dressing by combining vinegar, mustard, garlic, shallots and olive oil. Season to taste.
- Add quinoa to three cups of boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water and place in a fine mesh colander. Boil water and place quinoa and sun dried tomatoes in the colander over the water. Cover with a kitchen towel and lid. Steam for 10 minutes. Allow to cool.
- Cook red pepper in a small skillet until tender.
- Combine pepper and remaining ingredients with quinoa. Add dressing and toss. Enjoy!
By the way, you may not need all of the dressing. I didn’t! Save it and make your own stinky salad. 
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Hello Wendy,
I am really happy I found your site! You focus on quinoa recipes, and I focus on kale, imagine how healthy the world would become if everyone started cooking from our sites
Great idea to combine red quinoa with balsamic vinegar. I’l try this recipe, and I think I will replace cooked red peppers with marinated ones and see what happens.
Your new reader,
Olga
Yummy. I ran home and made this on my lunch hour. Very good. and quick. It hasn’t chilled fully, but it is delightful.
Sara – I am so glad you liked this one. I think it would also be very good with goat cheese and plan on trying that soon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Olga, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me a comment. I do hope you come back! I checked your site out and really like it! Great healthy eating tips and good info on the truth about vaccines and such! I haven’t tried kale before and I am definitely going to give it a try. Who knows, maybe a kale and quinoa dish is in my future.
Wendy, glad you liked my site! Yes let’s mix top grain with top green and see what happens…. Hmmm…. Try my collard greens rolls with quinoa , that will be a super healthy dish
Your quinoa experiments are inspirational, so see you soon – I am gone to my kitchen to try a few things
Cheers,
Olga
Olga – Ohh, that sounds yummy. I love collard greens and I never thought to try them with quinoa. I will have to give it a try. Take care!
Hi Wendy,
I am new to Quinoa and bought it awhile ago and didn’t know what to do with it. I’m so glad I found your website. I need to lose a few pounds and eat healthier. I also read that it’s good for migraine headaches which my daughter and I suffer from. I am going to try your Balsamic Quinoa Salad recipe…What do you do with the boullion cube? Do you melt it or just crush it up with the other ingredients? Thanks for your help!!!
Janet – My dad and sister both have migraines and I’ve got them both eating quinoa.
With the boullion cube you just put it in the cooking water to flavor the quinoa. Sorry – the recipe should be clearer. I hope you enjoy and good luck with your healthy eating plan!