50 Recipes, #20: Warm quinoa salad with grilled vegetables and fresh cheese

[nonelvis]

Another one from the June 2009 issue of Gourmet, though for some reason it isn't online yet. I had to broil the asparagus and eggplant, since I'm out of charcoal, and I subbed in the recommended fresh mozzarella instead of the Peruvian cheese. Not bad, though surprisingly bland given that it also includes cumin, smoked paprika, and Kalamata olives. Still, now I have plenty of leftovers for lunch this week, which is nice, since I'm trying to cut down on my meat consumption anyway.

Comments

[fonticulus.livejournal.com]

I think quinoa is a flavor suppressor or something. "Surprisingly bland" describes almost everything I have ever eaten that was based on quinoa. I mean, it's not bad, and it's got that nice nuttiness, and it's a good base to build a salad on. But it's... bland.

[nonelvis]

I think you may be on to something here. I like quinoa, but I don't love it in the way I love barley, couscous, or bulgur. It needs to be more interesting, dammit.