Toasted Quinoa Salad With Scallps And Snow Peas Recipes

TOASTED QUINOA, SNOW PEAS, TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Toast quinoa in a medium sauce pan, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of water to the pan, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Fluff with a fork and cool.
• In a large bowl, combine quinoa and peas, mozzarella, onion, cucumber, mint, basil, and tomatoes.
• Whisk lemon rind, juice, and olive oil in a small bowl.
• Toss with quinoa mixture to coat.

TOASTED QUINOA SALAD WITH SCALLOPS AND SNOW PEAS

Steps:

• Toss scallops with 2 teaspoons soy sauce ( or tamari) in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Place a large, high-sided skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until the quinoa begins to color, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Stir once, cover, and cook over medium heat until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. (Do not stir.) Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in snow peas, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, whisk 3 tablespoons canola oil, the remaining 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or tamari), vinegar, and sesame oil in a large bowl. Add the quinoa and snow peas, scallions, and bell pepper; toss to combine.
• Remove the scallops from the marinade and pat dry. Heat a large skillet over medium-high until hot enough to evaporate a drop of water upon contact. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons canola oil and cook the scallops, turning once, until golden and just firm, about 2 minutes total. Gently stir the scallops into the quinoa salad. Serve garnished with cilantro, if desired.
• Notes: Be sure to buy "dry" scallops that have not been treated with sodium tripolyphosphate, (STP). STP-treated scallops ("wet" scallops) have been subjected to a chemical bath and are mushy, less flavorful, and won't brown properly.
• Find Quinoa, a delicately flavored, protein-rich grain, in natural-foods stores or in the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering.