This quinoa tabbouleh is one of my go-to recipes. Quinoa, a grain that originated in South America, is considered a superfood because it contains more protein than most grains. It has a nutty flavor that tastes wonderful with the cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, feta and mint, and it's a great gluten-free alternative to traditional bulgur wheat. Best of all, you can make this salad ahead; if it sits at room temperature for a few hours, the lemon vinaigrette really has time to soak into the quinoa and vegetables, so the salad is even more delicious!
Pour 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the quinoa and 1 teaspoon of salt, lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, until the grains are tender and open (they'll have little curly tails). Drain, place in a bowl and immediately add the lemon juice, olive oil and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.*
In a large bowl, combine the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt* and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Add the quinoa and mix well. Carefully fold in the feta and taste for seasonings. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate and serve cold.
* Ina uses Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, which is coarser than other brands; if you are using a finer-grain kosher salt such as Morton, use the smaller amount.
Cook’s Note
Make-Ahead Plan: Prepare the salad without the feta, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Fold in the feta and serve.