Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups quinoa
• 3 cups water
• 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, cored and diced butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped kale (previously washed and cleaned)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
• vinaigrette (recipe below)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, bring the quinoa and water to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered until all the water has been absorbed (about 20 minutes). Remove from the heat, fluff with a for and place in a large bowl to cool for 20 minutes.
2. In the meantime, heat one teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet, add the onion and cook until it turns translucent. Add the garlic, butternut squash and kale. Cover with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat. Remove the lid, check that the butternut squash is tender but not mushy or hard when you poke a piece with a knife. Add the thyme and continue cooking until the all the liquid creating by the cover has evaporated.
3. Let cool to room temperature. Gently fold the cooked quinoa and the cooked vegetables together along with the vinaigrette.
4. Serve room temperature or cold.

French Vinaigrette:

Makes about 1/4 cup, enough for one large green salad.

Ingredients:

• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon sherry or red wine vinegar
• 1/2 small shallot, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
• fresh herbs, if desired

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, vinegar, and shallot. Let stand for about ten minutes.
2. Mix in the Dijon mustard, then add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well, then taste. If too sharp, add the additional olive oil and more salt, if necessary. Romain said one needs to add beaucoup de mustard, so feel free to add more as well.
3. If you wish to add fresh herbs, it’s best to chop and mix them in shortly before serving so they retain their flavor.

Yield: 4-6 servings as a main dish