Favorite Quinoa Salad

A great healthy side for summer BBQs!

Ingredients

•  3 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed
• 5 pickling cucumbers, peeled, ends trimmed, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and diced
• 1 bunch Italian parsley leaves, chopped
• 2 bunches mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 avocado, peeled, diced

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the quinoa, stir once, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes. Strain and rinse well with cold water, shaking the sieve well to remove all moisture.

2. When dry, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, parsley, avocado, mint, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well.