The whole grain quinoa in this salad helps you feel satisfyingly full long after the meal is finished.
Servings: Makes 10–12 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups quinoa
  • 1 1/8 teaspoons salt , plus more for dressing
  • 4 medium beets , trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Freshly ground pepper , for dressing
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 large, seedless cucumber , chopped
  • 1 pint yellow cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1 cup green beans , blanched and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • Directions
    Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Place in a medium saucepan with 2 1/2 cups water. Add 1/8 tsp. salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until quinoa is tender, 12–15 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours.

    Meanwhile, place beets in a large saucepan; cover with cold water (by about an inch). Add 1 tsp. salt; bring to a simmer. Cook until beets are tender when pierced with a paring knife, 35–45 minutes. Drain; cover with cold water. Let sit until cool enough to handle. Peel and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

    In a small bowl, mix vinegar, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Slowly whisk in oil. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, beets, cucumber, tomatoes, green beans and parsley. Toss in dressing to serve.
    From the March 2008 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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