Healthy Arugula Tomato Quinoa Salad

 

If there is one ingredient I feel is essential to my pantry, it would have to be quinoa.  Quinoa is an ancient grain used in South America that is high in protein, B vitamins, fiber, and minerals.  Quinoa is easy to prepare and stores well in a cool, dry environment.  I usually keep two bags of quinoa in my pantry to use as a substitute for rice or in various salads.  You can also use quinoa in place of couscous for a Middle Eastern tabouli.  Quinoa is a gluten-free food that is very versatile and can be eaten as a sweet or savory dish.  Combined with other high nutrient foods, this grain can help create a powerhouse antioxidant dish for your breakfast, lunch or dinner table.  I enjoy that fact that quinoa is a gluten free food with a low glycemic index, making it ideal for those intolerant to gluten or with diabetes.  Quinoa is extremely high in fiber with a whopping 17-27 grams of fiber per cup of quinoa which is more than twice that of most grains!  It contains plant compounds quercetin and kaempferol, two flavenoids which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant effects in animal studies.  Quinoa is also a high protein food that contains many important amino acids which your body cannot make on it's own and must obtain from food.  So, there are many important reasons why you should include quinoa in your diet.  I love that fact that it is quick to cook and you can have your quinoa ready in 15-20 minutes!  

I have been making this Arugula Tomato Quinoa salad for quite some time now and I have to say it is one of my favorite dishes to whip up for holiday events.  It looks fun and festive with green and red and is a perfect complimentary dish to your turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It also is light so if you fill up on the other dishes, you can never eat enough of this dish!  This salad is also perfect for the summertime, as it's light airy texture feels cooling on hot summer days.  The tomatoes and arugula had a fresh kick, with a few spritzes of lemon for that perfect tangy flavor!  Combined with a little olive oil for that heart healthy zing!  Here is my recipe for the perfect Arugula Tomato Quinoa Salad!

Ingredients:

2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

4 cups arugula

1 1/2 c cook quinoa

3 tablespoos basil, chopped

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

4 cloves minced garlic

2 ounces feta, crumbled

Mix all the ingredients together for the tangiest, zingiest, healthiest salad ever!  I could literally eat this salad all day and I know you will just love it!  Hope you enjoy making this absolutely delicious salad as much as I do!  Enjoy!