Looking for a quick lunch, a light side, or an easy, open-the-fridge-and-go snack?  Try quinoa.  It’s the new protein-packed grain that everyone’s raving about because it’s healthy and easy to transform into a tasty nutrient-filled salad in no time.  MarthaStewart.com has a whole treasure trove of quinoa recipes, like  Quinoa-and-Apple Salad with Fresh Mint and Curry Dressing; Five-Grain Salad with quinoa, red pearl onions, and fresh parsley; and Quinoa Salad with Fresh Dill, Feta, and Cucumber.
But it’s really easy to create your own quinoa combinations. Â Just combine one cup of quinoa with two cups of water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and then let simmer on low for about 25 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and soft. Â Then add the veggies, cheeses, nuts, fruits, and herbs of your choosing for a salad that will fill you up and keep you going until your next quinoa fix. Â Good thing cooked quinoa keeps great in the fridge for well up to a week.