Photo of Quinoa and tomato salad by WW

Quinoa and tomato salad

5
Points®
Total Time
28 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
18 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Quinoa is actually related to the grass family, but it looks and tastes just like a grain. It’s a nutrition powerhouse and makes a wonderful substitute for rice and pasta. The simple ingredients in this salad recipe make it a perfect complement to spicy main dishes or hot entrées. It's also pretty versatile too: If large, ripe tomatoes are in season, feel free to use those instead of the grape tomatoes called for here. You can also vary the salad by using fresh basil, thyme, cilantro, or oregano, basically whatever you have in flourishing in your herb garden, instead of the chopped chives.

Ingredients

Uncooked quinoa

1 cup(s)

Grape tomatoes

2 cup(s), or cherry tomatoes, red and/or yellow

Olive oil

1 Tbsp

White wine vinegar

1 Tbsp, or more to taste

Table salt

½ tsp, or more to taste

Black pepper

¼ tsp, or more to taste

Chives

2 Tbsp, fresh, minced

Instructions

  1. Put quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve or fine strainer. Place under cold running water until water runs clear (this eliminates the bitter taste contained in quinoa's coating); drain well. (Or you can buy certain brands of quinoa that are pre-rinsed.)
  2. Place rinsed quinoa in a medium saucepan and cover with 2 cups of cold water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the grains are translucent and the germ has come out of each grain, about 15 minutes. Cover and remove from heat; let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon quinoa into a large bowl and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, finely chop tomatoes, reserving 2 tablespoons of the tomato juice; set tomatoes aside.
  4. In a cup, combine tomato juice, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and chives; stir well.
  5. When quinoa is at room temperature, stir in chopped tomatoes; add tomato vinaigrette and toss again. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.