Monday, March 17, 2014

Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potato, Spinach, Roasted Eggplant and Feta

Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potato, Spinach, Roasted Eggplant and Feta

Until recently I was a quinoa virgin.  Happily that is no longer the case, as I have discovered this lovely grain is easy to prepare and totally delicious. Over Summer we pretty much have salad with every meal and I am always trying out new salads, so we don't die of boredom.


Apart from tasting great, quinoa is also really good for you.  It's rich in protein and so very filling.  It also contains almost twice as much fibre, as most other grains and is nutrient dense.  Lately I have also been substituting quinoa for rice and serving it with Asian dishes.


Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potato, Spinach, Roasted Eggplant and Feta
serves 4

1 cup of quinoa
2 cups chicken stock or water
1 eggplant cut into 2cm/1" slices and then in half again
1 sweet potato peeled and cut into 2cm/1" slices and then into quarters
olive oil spray
50g/2 oz of Danish feta
1 cup of baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup nuts of your choice.  I use macadamia.
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Juice of one lemon.
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 180C/375F.
Line a baking tray with baking paper and place eggplant and sweet potato on the tray .
Spray with cooking oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Roast for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile place quinoa in a saucepan.
Cover with stock.
Bring to he boil over a high heat.
Cover and turn down to low.
Cook for about 12 minutes or until all stock is absorbed.
Combine quinoa with roast vegetables, spinach and nuts on a serving platter.
Crumble feta cheese and sprinkle over the salad.
Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
Enjoy.


And ultimately there were a couple of bright spots in my week.  It was a week that started off badly, but it did get better.

Thank you!!!!  I was nominated for this, by someone other than myself this year.  I think that is progress.


On Friday I was invited to lunch in the lovely home of Seana from Sydney Kids Food and Travel, also with Robyn from Mrs D plus 3 and Charlie Louie from Hotly Spiced.

Courtesy Hotly Spiced
The weekend was topped off by meeting up for dinner on Saturday night, with some school friends and girls I used to knock about with when we were flatting.  We catch up every four months and it's always great to see long standing friends, one is even from my kindergarten class. 


 We usually end up back at someone's house talking late into the night.  I paid for that on Sunday, because the kids get up early as usual, but it is so worth it.


I dyed my hair for the occasion and have started pulling it back, as it just goes so curly and wayward in this humid weather.  The dye is also wrecking my hair, so pulling all the really dry bits back, just makes it sit better. I guess dying it is better than looking like my kids' grandmother. 

I think catching up with girlfriends is one of life's great pleasures. Don't you?

Have  great week Beach Dwellers.

You can find more healthy recipes here.

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Today I am linked up here
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Chef in Training
Wow Us Wednesday
Domesblissity
Foodie Friday
Best of the Weekend
Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Night Fever

5 comments :

  1. I think your hair looks lovely pulled back! It was so great catching up last week I think we should make it a regular occasion (and I need to try that salad - looks delish) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it was a lovely afternoon and I agree lets make it a regular fixture.
      Carolyn

      Delete
  2. Salad looks delicious, and really pretty straightforward. It took me a few goes to feel confident with quinoa but I also use it more than rice now. Not all family impressed though.

    Love that vintage dress of yours and I do agree that catching up with the girls is the best, essential sanity saver for mums in the throes of family life. We girls chat!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This salad looks great! I would love it if you linked up to my Tasty Tuesday party!
    http://www.thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/tasty-tuesday-3.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. That salad looks delicious! I'm pinning it right now. Thank you!

    Best wishes for a fabulous weekend,
    Natasha

    ReplyDelete

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