bethysmalls

We bought a mini trampoline for Bruno. He likes to bounce on the one in the training room so we figured it would be a good way to keep him active indoors. Granted, he does enjoy jumping on the one we got but usually, this is how it looks:

At least Mr. Potatohead is comfortable.

I helped host a baby shower this weekend and part of my contribution was to make red velvet cupcakes and quinoa salad. The red velvet cupcakes turned into a chocolate mocha cake with cream cheese frosting and red velvet crumbles on top. And the quinoa salad turned out to be a huge hit. So at the request of several attendees, I’m posting my recipe which is adapted from a friend’s quinoa salad recipe you can find here.

Bethysmalls’ Quinoa Salad

(this is how much I make to last a week of lunches, a double batch essentially)

• 2 cups quinoa, uncooked
• 1/2 – 1 bunch of parsley, chopped
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
• 6 green onions, white and green parts, finely sliced
• 1 6-8oz container of crumpled feta cheese

Prepare the quinoa according to package directions and allow to cool. ( I don’t always let it cool and I don’t know that it makes a huge difference but it is slightly easier to mix when cooled. The warm quinoa will wilt  your parsley a little but may make the cheese and dressing and veggies all bind a little more.)

Combine halved grape tomatoes, chopped parsley, sliced green onions and feta in a large bowl. Add quinoa and stir.

Dressing

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or your favorite vinegar
• 1 cup olive oil, extra virgin is good but regular is fine, too.
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t coarse black pepper
• 4 T dijon mustard

Place ingredients in a mason jar and shake it like a Polaroid picture.

Top the salad with half the dressing and stir to coat. Add more to taste.

Viola! Hope you like it.

To the guy on the loudest, god-forsaken chopper who drove down my street 2 hours ago setting off all the car alarms on the block/everywhere: I hope you don’t wear a helmet. Also, if given the chance, I would throttle you. Probably. I’d at least knock you off that freaking bike. And run. Cause I’m actually a wuss. Amen.

While wearing a spaghetti bib.