Quinoa Olive Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Black Olive Shortbread

I never can get enough olives and so when I saw Ricki's recipe for this summer salad served with black olive shortbread, I knew I had to make it. As is my custom, I have adapted it from the original. Perfect for vegans and vegetarians alike because of the combination of such a powerhouse of healthy ingredients. This dish is also gluten-free. Ricki suggests you might want to add some nuts or beans for complete proteins if serving as a main course.

The salad is so refreshing dressed with olive oil, lemon and tamari and the green olives are a perfect touch and essential I would say. Truly a good choice as summer has been with us this week and I for one, do not feel much like turning on the stove for extended periods of time. I toyed with the idea of adding goat cheese, but I wanted to present it as vegan friendly and truly the salad shines without it though I am sure it would be a nice addition for those who eat dairy. This salad can be served cold or at room temperature.

Thank you to Ricki for granting me permission to adapt your recipe and post about it on my blog. I had some happy diners, including myself.

Quinoa Olive Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes Served with Black Olive Shortbread

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Diet, Dessert and Dogs Published on May 15, 2012 A light, elegant and refreshing colorful quinoa and vegetable salad served with delicious savory brown rice and olive shortbread biscuits Print this recipe Salad: 1 1/4 cups dried quinoa 6 sun-dried tomatoes generous cup green olives, pitted and sliced 1 medium carrot, scrubbed, and cut into small strips handful of snow peas, cut into small strips a few tablespoons of red onion, sliced small bunch of green onions, white and light green parts, cut on an angle 2 fresh red chilies, seeded and sliced into small strips 1 fresh green chili, seeded and cut into small strips 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped Dressing: 3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil juice from 1 medium lemon juice from 1 lime 2 teaspoons sugar or Xylitol 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt fresh cracked black pepper to taste Shortbreads: 1/2 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted 1 teaspoon poppy seeds 2 tablespoons brown rice flour scant 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced 1 1/2 teaspoons soy or tamari sauce 1 tablespoon of water or vegetable stock Instructions: Rinse the quinoa and soak for 8 hours or overnight in 2 1/2 cups of water or vegetable stock. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let cool. Meanwhile, soak the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 20 minutes. Drain and chop. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and combine with the sun-dried tomatoes, green olives, carrot, snow peas, red onion, green onions, chilies, and parsley. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad. Set aside to cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator. When it is time to make the shortbreads, preheat an oven to 325° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, grind together the walnuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds and flour. Now add the olives, tamari and water or stock and process until you have crumbly dough that is not overly moist. Add a bit more flour if it is too moist. Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape into a round that is roughly 5 inches in diameter and about 1/2-inch thick. Score the top into 6 triangles. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven, gently separate the triangles so they are about an inch apart, and continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the tops are dry and the bottoms nicely browned. Let cool on a wire rack for a short while before serving with the salad. Makes 6 servings

More healthy salads you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Curried Quinoa Salad with Lentils and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Quinoa Spinach Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Toasted Almonds
Turkish Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Pomegranate, Walnuts and Zahtar Dressing
Wild Rice and Asparagus Salad

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