Quinoa Tabbouleh Recipe

The classic Middle Eastern salad gets an of-the-moment upgrade with the "it" grain, quinoa. (Okay, okay, it's technically a seed.) The tiny nutritional powerhouse is loaded with protein, making this dish both a delicious vegetarian main course and a summer-suitable side.  Serves 6

ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more
• 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large English hothouse cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers, cut into 1/4" pieces
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Photo by Jason Love

preparation

Bring quinoa, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

Spread out quinoa on a large rimmed baking sheet; let cool. Transfer to a large bowl; mix in 1/4 cup dressing. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover remaining dressing and quinoa separately; chill.

Add cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, and scallions to bowl with quinoa; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle remaining dressing over.

Fiery Sweet Glazed Salmon Filet with Cucumber, Avocado and Jalapeno Salad

Nothing like a little fire to cut through the fat of the salmon.  I learned to love sweet on salmon from a trip to Alaska.  From Texaspete.com:

• SALMON INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2 side Salmon
• 2 cups + 1 cup (for basting) Texas Pete^® Fiery Sweet Sauce

• SALAD INGREDIENTS:
• 1 each cucumber, small dice
• 2 each avocado, medium dice
• 1 each jalapeño, minced
• 1/2 each red onion, small dice
• 4 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

• SALMON PREPARATION:
• Marinate Salmon in Texas Pete^® Fiery Sweet Sauce for 30 minutes. Utilize medium high heat; grill or plank Salmon until internal temperature reaches 145° F. Brush liberally with additional Texas Pete^® Fiery Sweet Sauce.

• SALAD PREPARATION:
• Combine all ingredients & gently fold together. Serve alongside Salmon.