Magical Quinoa Salad

This is one of my fav's! It's great for lunch, but I usually make a double batch for extra lunches. It's a Sandra Lee Recipe from the foodnetwork show, Semi Homemade. I added some variations that I have found work well. Quinoa is a seed, very much like Couscous (and you can just substitute Couscous, just subtract one cup stock). Qunioa has lots of protien and fiber (like couscous) and it's cheapest in the bins at Sprouts. Don't be afraid of this recipe, it's super easy.

Ingredience:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock (or water if don't have)
1 hothouse cucumber, diced (regular will do as well)
2 scallions (green onions)
1/2 cup roasted red pepper, diced (or un-roasted works too)
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fines herbs (recommended: Spice Island) (or lemon pepper and/or herbs of
Provance)
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons slivered almonds
(I live olive oil, basalimic vinagar, and lemon juice in it too)

For serving:
9 cups spring salad mix
1/4 cup light roasted garlic and balsamic salad dressing (These things are optional and I don't usually do the salad party)

To cook:
Combine quinoa and stock in small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover. Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Let cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa with remaining ingredients. Toss to mix thoroughly.

Serve chilled on a bed of greens tossed with a little dressing. (again, this part optional)

Mmmm. Makes me hungry...wow. I think everything does.