Greek Quinoa Salad- Quick. Easy. Greek.

I love Greek Food!

Olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta...a little tang, a little spice, a little creamy from the olive oil or yogurt...it's just delightful!

On one particularly sunny day, I made this Greek Quinoa Salad. It was light, refreshing...and very Greek!

Oh look- its our Uncorked wine glass in the background!
Uncorked is an event supporting our local symphony and opera.
The Hubs and I attended Uncorked last year. Mason and I used to go to the opera,
so it was a nice way to remember and honor her.

I found this recipe on Pinterest. I love all of the fresh herbs and produce in this dish. It would be perfect on a hot day!

Lemons!

So here is what you need:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup diced tomatoes (I used halved cherry tomatoes)

1 cup diced cucumber (peeled and seeded)

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 tsp fresh chopped mint

1 tsp fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp fresh dill

juice of 2 lemons (3-4 Tbsp)

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

coarse salt and fresh black pepper to taste

*I added cooked shrimp to mine to increase the protein.

What you need to do:

Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Allow to cool.

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours for flavors to mesh.

That's it! Really- that is it. 

You will be amazed by the wonderful flavor in this dish. And all you do is cut, cook, cool, mix!

Look at all of that fresh goodness!!!

There you have it. Quick, Easy, Greek.

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

It's All Greek to Me!

This Greek Style Shrimp Scampi and Linguini is a Rachel Ray recipe. It is quick and easy- perfect for a week night dinner!

Ingredients: I used 1 box of whole wheat linguini, a little over a pound of large shrimp (deveined, peeled and tails removed), 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 4 cloves garlic (I minced mine- she calls for sliced), couple of pinches red pepper flakes, 1/2 lemon (zested and juiced), 2 sprigs oregano (I used dried and eyeballed it- its what I had available), 1 jar capers (she calls for chopped kalamata olives- but the Hubs doesn't like olives...I know, I know...), 1/2 cup dry white wine, 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1 cup feta cheese crumbles

I cooked my pasta to al dente with a bit of salt. I reserved 1 ladle of the starchy broth when I drained the pasta.

I cooked the oil and garlic until the garlic was fragrant. I added the shrimp (which I seasoned with salt and pepper) and allowed them to cook about 3 minutes. I then added the red pepper flakes, lemon zest, oregano, capers, and wine and let it cook a bit more.

It was time to remove it from the heat and stir in the ladle of starchy broth and add the lemon juice.

I added the pasta, parsley and feta and let the pasta soak in the sauce before serving.

This was delicious...and it was ready in less than 30 minutes!

I love the tangy, bright flavors of Greek food. 

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

*******

By the way...some exciting changes are coming for La Bonne Vie!

I'm not sure if you have noticed, but we now have our own domain...labonneviecookingdiary.com

The site will be changing a bit to reflect more of who we are and what we are doing. 

I began this blog as a way to deal with the loss of a dear friend (Mason), to connect with something we loved to do together (eating and celebrating things), and to engage with something in me that she always encouraged (writing).  

Updating this site should lend itself even more into that dream.

I picked the name La Bonne Vie for many reasons, but paramount to them all is that Life- true LIFE- is Good; and even though we have experienced death or loss (like with Mason), or hurt or pain, or sadness...there is good...there is LIFE.

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus] came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."  John 10:10 AMP

 "[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!" Psalms 27:13 AMP

These two verses are the reason behind La Bonne Vie.

I would love to have you continue journeying with me. If you have the time and wish to- would you leave me comment on what you have liked about this site so far? It would really helps me out!

Blessings,

Tracy