Jan052010
Quinoa Salad
Filed under Salads, Vegetarian by Anna at 6:23 PM on Jan 05 2010
This morning I had my driver’s license test and I failed, oh dear… I failed. The good thing was the woman behind the counter was in a very good mood. It started with my picture; she was all-helpful telling me how to fix my hair and how to turn my head. So when she saw I failed she smiled and gave me another test to try again. I had an expired license from Brazil and living in New York you don’t even bother driving anywhere, you don’t need a car over there. But here you definitely do! But I’m freaking out a bit because it’s been 6 years since I last drove and also had never drove an automatic car, in Brazil all cars are with manual gears. So if you live in L.A be aware of the crazy lady on the 405.
Quinoa Salad
- 1 cup of quinoa rinsed in cold water several times
- 1 can of black beans drained and rinsed
- 3 stalks of celery sliced
- 1 small red onion chopped very small
- Cubes of Feta cheese
- For the spicy herbs dressing
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- ¼ of extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup of parsley
- ½ cup of dill
- 1 red chili (I used jalapeño red) with seeds removed
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the spicy herbs dressing, process parsley, red chili, dill, garlic to a course paste. Slow add the olive oil and lemon juice. Mix until well combined then transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. Place the quinoa in a saucepan and add 2 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce and simmer until tender. Drain, transfer to a large bowl and add the black beans, celery, red onions, and Feta cheese pour the spicy herbs dressing and mix well. Reserve a bit of the dressing to serve on the side. I served with roasted cherry tomatoes (I was in a vegetarian mood). But I guess it would be perfect as a side for meat or chicken. Enjoy.
1 Divinaon 05 Jan 2010 at 6:37 PM
HI Anna. I haven’t drove in 13 years. Yikes. I know, embarrassing. In the Philippines, we you have drivers, you would never thought of driving. It’s one of the fears that I need to overcome here. Six years is a long time too. I hope I made you feel better. You will get your driver’s license soon. Wow, you even drove with manual gear. I always love quinoa and any type of quinoa dish would do. Superb photo.
2 Annaon 05 Jan 2010 at 6:47 PM
Wow Divina… you definitely won, even if I count the 3 years living in Australia without driving you would still top me. Tomorrow I’ll have my first lesson … should I bring an apple to my teacher? LOL.
3 Claudiaon 05 Jan 2010 at 7:42 PM
Ah driver’s tests – the good thing is – you can always try again. I adore quinoa- this looks mouth-watering!
4 Annaon 05 Jan 2010 at 7:50 PM
Thanks Claudia, Ah! I tried again and I passed. Yuhuuuulll!! The Laid at the DMV was in a great mood. God bless her.
5 Chef Wanabe » Quinoa Salad Lemon Meon 05 Jan 2010 at 8:07 PM
[...] the original: Chef Wanabe » Quinoa Salad tags: combined-then, cooked, olive, parsley, pasta, plastic-wrap, shrimp, spicy, the-spicy [...]
6 MaryMohon 06 Jan 2010 at 12:47 AM
So sorry to hear that. In UK here, the passing rate is quite low. Many people fail, on their first test. Thank goodness, I passed in the first test. The driving tester must have liked me more
My hubby passed at his 3rd test. You can imagine his jealousy…..LOL. Anna, try again. I know it’s disappointing but you will pass. And I love your beautiful, delicious-looking quinoa salad. The bright colour can cheer up anyone. Thanks for sharing.
7 dokuzuncubuluton 06 Jan 2010 at 2:40 AM
Beautiful presentation. What a pretty dish!
8 Julianaon 06 Jan 2010 at 10:41 AM
Happy New Year Anna! What a great way to start the new year…a very healthy dish with quinoa…actually I have some of it at my cupboard and will try your way
I had the same issue when I got my driver’s license…but luckily I was able to borrow a non automatic car.
9 Jessieon 06 Jan 2010 at 11:09 AM
lovely salad! I love that photo with all of the great tasting ingredients combined
10 Simply Lifeon 06 Jan 2010 at 5:03 PM
Oh this salad looks just delicious and so healthy! Great idea!
11 penny aka jeroxieon 06 Jan 2010 at 5:48 PM
Another great idea for my meatless day challenge. Nice and refreshing.
12 Annaon 06 Jan 2010 at 7:30 PM
Hi Dokuz, I love your site, I wish I could read it. I tried to put a comment but couldn’t. But it looks lovely.
13 Jen @ My Kitchen Addictionon 06 Jan 2010 at 7:58 PM
This salad looks great… Haven’t made quinoa in a while. Thanks for the reminder!
14 Natasha - 5 Star Foodieon 07 Jan 2010 at 6:22 AM
Such a pretty and delicious quinoa salad! I’m sorry about your driver license but it’s good that you get to try again, good luck!
15 Kristenon 07 Jan 2010 at 8:00 AM
As much as its nice not having to rely on a car here in NY – I definitely do miss driving! Love this salad, quinoa is one of my favorite grains and it is so good for you too!
16 Lorion 07 Jan 2010 at 12:33 PM
Congrats on making the Foodbuzz top 9!! This looks so good!
17 Gelareh @ Orange Truffleon 07 Jan 2010 at 2:00 PM
I love Quinoa and your salad looks good
18 kristyon 07 Jan 2010 at 8:53 PM
Luckily, I’m not living in L.A…. haha….Just kidding! Don’t worried, I’m sure you’ll get your license soon. Just try to relax when you’re driving & have fun. Frankly, auto gear is much more easier to handle. Btw, congrats on your top 9!You deserved it. Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers.
19 kristyon 07 Jan 2010 at 8:56 PM
And your quinoa salad looks awesome as well! =) Keep smiling!
20 Emilyon 07 Jan 2010 at 11:00 PM
This looks delicious! In fact, I made a quinoa salad just the other day. I’ll have to try your recipe!
21 Annaon 07 Jan 2010 at 11:34 PM
Thank you so much Kristy, it was my first time in the top 9, I bragged all day to my hubby.
22 Alinaon 08 Jan 2010 at 5:52 AM
This salad looks super-stylish. I love the pink bits of red onion. Good luck with your driver’s licence!
23 Ericaon 08 Jan 2010 at 6:00 AM
That looks delicious and healthy! In Colombia we drive with manual gear too, but an automatic car will be a lot easier
Good luck!
24 Cynthia at A Shimmy In My Spiriton 08 Jan 2010 at 10:21 AM
As always you have my mouth watering with your recipes and photographs. Driving again for the first time in 6 years – in LA – now that’s a challenge. I’m sure you will do great. After all you learned to drive in Brazil and I have seen Brazilian drivers…they are fearless!
25 Annaon 08 Jan 2010 at 12:16 PM
Thanks Alina,
26 Annaon 08 Jan 2010 at 12:19 PM
Hi Erica, It is easier, I just drove all the way to Malibu and it was a very curvy road and I did OK not to shabby.
27 Annaon 08 Jan 2010 at 12:23 PM
Hahahaha!! That’s true, we drive like maniacs, specially in Sao Paulo.
28 Kimon 10 Jan 2010 at 7:26 AM
You are so cute. I can just see you taking your tests. Anyone that can multitask culinary creations like you do, will soon rule the roads in LA. I was just talking with my husband last night about learning to drive and how when I bought my first car – a stick shift- I had no idea how to drive it! Once I learned, I never wanted an automatic again– although I’m driving one now. They are sooo easy compared to the sticks. You are going to master this very, very soon. I can’t wait to hear how you do. I know it’s kinda scary, but I’m so proud of you! You can do it!
And…your beautiful, healthy salad is a good reminder for me to bring my quinoa back out of the cupboard. Love the Feta cheese and the sweet grape tomatoes with it.
29 Annaon 10 Jan 2010 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Kim, for the encouraging words, you rock! I drove to Malibu the other day (very curvy road) and did Okay. My husband was holding for dear life on the passenger sit, poor thing.
30 Sophieon 12 Jan 2010 at 4:22 AM
Hello Anna!
Too pity about the driver’s test, but better luck next time!! You can do it, girl!!!
But your quinoa salad is a huge success!! MMMMMM,…lovely & healthy too!
31 pigpigscorneron 12 Jan 2010 at 11:07 AM
wow, great looking salad! good luck!