Quinoa, Beetroot & Feta Salad

If you are like me and love a good salad at any time of day, then you will love this recipe. I have been known to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner - just switching up the protein I serve with it!

There is something about the natural sweetness of the beetroot with the saltiness of the feta and the nuttiness of the quinoa that just works.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa 2 cups water 1 tsp vegetable or chicken stock 2 beetroots, cooked, peeled and cooled 140g Feta cheese 2 spring onions, sliced Large handful baby spinach leaves Small handful pecan or walnuts 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1 clove of garlic, crushed Pinch salt 1 drop doTERRA black or pink pepper essential oil

Method:

Rinse the quinoa several times under running water. This is important to get rid of any bitterness from the natural saponin coating on the quinoa grains. Cook the quinoa in the water with stock paste or powder added. I find using my rice cooker the easiest way to do this. While the quinoa is cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients - olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and doTERRA black or pink pepper essential oil. Once quinoa is cooked, place in a large bowl and drizzle half the dressing over the warm quinoa and mix. This will allow the dressing to penetrate the quinoa and give a gorgeous flavour. Allow the quinoa to finish cooling. Cube the beetroot and feta into similar sized small pieces. Slice the spring onion. Add beetroot, feta, spring onion, baby spinach leaves and remaining dressing to the cool quinoa and mix gently.

Top the salad with the pecans or walnuts if desired for extra crunch. This is a great salad to serve at BBQs or as a meal onto itself!

A note from Gracious Goodness :

Why do I like to spike my hummus with essential oils? You mean, aside from adding ahhmazing taste?

Cumin essential oil is great for supporting digestive health, and it can help relieve occasional digestive discomfort. Cumin essential oil has the ability to purify the body’s systems, and it is ideal for internal cleansing.

Lemon essential oil provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function.

Black pepper essential oil is high in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, known for their antioxidant activity and ability to help ward off environmental and seasonal threats. Black Pepper essential oil promotes healthy circulation and can also help with the digestion of foods, making it an ideal oil to cook with and enjoy both for its flavor and internal benefits.

Pink pepper essential oil is well known for its ability to help support a healthy metabolism and immune system when taken internally. Pink Pepper may also help the body maintain healthy cellular function and overall cellular health. Limonene and α-Phellandrene, two of the main chemical components of Pink Pepper essential oil, may be calming to the nervous system. Additionally, Limonene may help support healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels already in the normal range when taken internally.

Only ever use essential oils in your cooking that say they are safe for internal use on the label. These oils will have the Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) tick of approval as a food additive.

If you would like to learn more about CPtG food safe essentials oils head over to here or send me a message. I would love to chat with you about my two favourite things - food and oils!

Sandra xo