Quinoa and Grilled-Pepper Salad Recipe

Quinoa and Grilled-Pepper Salad Recipe

  • 1 1/4 cups quinoa
  • 3 yellow and/or orange bell peppers, quartered
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  1. Prepare grill for cooking.
  2. Wash quinoa in at least 5 changes of water, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off water, until water runs clear. Drain in a large sieve. Add quinoa to a saucepan of boiling salted water and cook 10 minutes. Drain in sieve and rinse under cold water.
  3. Set sieve over a saucepan with 1 1/2 inches boiling water (sieve should not touch water) and steam quinoa, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, about 10 minutes. (Check water level in pan occasionally, adding water if necessary.) Spread quinoa on a baking sheet to cool.
  4. While quinoa is cooking, grill bell peppers on a well-oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals until slightly softened, about 4 minutes on each side. Cut bell peppers crosswise into thin strips.
  5. Whisk together oil, lime juice, soy sauce, and cumin in a large bowl and stir in quinoa, bell peppers, cilantro, scallions, and salt and pepper to taste.