Love tabouli, but can’t eat wheat? Enter Quinoa! Quinoa is a gluten free seed (yep it’s not really a grain, it’s what some would call a pseudo grain). Quinoa acts as a substitute to wheat which would normally be used in a tabouli recipe. It gives it a bit of crunch and a lot of nutritional power. In this recipe I’ve also added some chicken and ruby red grapefruit for lots of flavour and tastiness!
I squeezed some of the grapefruit into the salad to act as a bit of a dressing (you can also add some of the zest and a bit of olive oil too). It makes it really fresh tasting and zesty. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Red Grapefruit, Chicken and Quinoa Tabouli Salad
Makes 1 serve
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3-4 T. parsley finely chopped
- 1/4-1/2 red grapefruit, sliced
- 2-3 T. red quinoa, rinsed then cooked
- 1 chicken thigh, sliced and cooked
- salt and peppper
Directions:
- Rinse the quinoa until the water runs clear (and isn’t soapy which can be the case because of the saponins on the quinoa). Cook the quinoa with water (or stock) in a saucepan until the ‘tails’ of the quinoa are revealed. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare your salad: slice the tomatoes, finely chop the parsley and slice the grapefruit. Stir together. Squeeze in some of the grapefruit juice (and olive oil and grapefruit zest if you desire).
- Cook the chicken in butter or oil till browned and cooked through.
- Then, along with the quinoa add the chicken to the salad and stir to combine.
Quinoa Research:
Quinoa has been suggested as a healthy ingredient for those on gluten-free diets [1].
According to NDDIC, Quinoa is okay to eat for those with Celiacs Disease [2]. Though, those with Celiacs will need to be a cautious as what is okay for one person may not be okay for others.
Nutritionally speaking, Quinoa is a source of many vitamins and minerals and also contains polyphenols, phytosterols, flavonoids and has a good vitamin E and omega 6 profile [3].
Some of it’s nutrients include calcium, phosphorous (due to phytic acid), potassium and magnesium (which is due to phytate) and also sulfur [4].
The amount of protein in Quinoa is quite high compared to other cereals and it is quite digestible [5].
Michelle
Health Food Lover is Michelle Robson-Garth. Michelle is a degree-qualified Naturopath (BHSc) and Massage Therapist. She is also a passionate writer, recipe-creator and all-round foodie from Melbourne, Australia. © Copyright: 2009-2012 Michelle Robson-Garth. Please ask permission first when using any text or images on healthfoodlover.com. Read the disclaimer here. Have a look at the recipe index for more health food lovin’ recipes. Join the Facebook page & follow Health Food Lover on twitter.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Nothings change, still a delicious and healthy site. Salivating recipe and so tasty
Thanks Healy.
Mmmm, I just rediscovered quinqoa two weeks ago thanks to Two for Tuesday. I can’t wait to try it every which way, including with grapefruit, once winter reaches the N. hemi!
Good ol’ two for tuesdays- we get to see so many great ideas every week hey! I hope you love the goodness that is quinoa!
This looks scrumptious – perfect for summer and so good for you too!
Thanks so much April! I loved this salad.
This looks just awesome. I love the idea of adding the grapefruit. I also love 5-ingredient meals!
Oh I didn’t even notice it just had 5 ingredients! That is pretty cool.
i love quinoa and am always looking for ways to use it. this salad has some of my favorite things…especially the grapefruit! yum!!
i found you through two for tuesdays
Thank for stopping by Christy.
Hey ‘Chelle! This recipe is so up my alley! I adore grapefruit and oranges in salads. The citrus/acidic flavor pairs so well with chicken and greens! YUMMY! Thanks for hosting and posting on the two for tuesday recipe blog hop! Question? Do you have the comments section set to collect name email etc.? every time I come back mine is blank except for my twitter ID, so it is recognizing me but not capturing the other stuff…Just wondered! Hugs! Alex@amoderatelife
Thanks for stopping by Alex :) Citrus in salads is really so yummy isn’t it!
Thanks for having me as a host.
Hmm…I’ll have to look into that and let you know! Thanks for stopping by :)
I love my quinoa. I have tried the usual ones, the red and the black. Love them so :)
I haven’t yet tried the black quinoa…what’s it like?
I have been craving grapefruit – what a great way to enjoy it! I am always looking for ways to eat quinoa when I am cooking g/f.
I hope this satisfies your craving for grapefruit :)
Hhhmmmm….. Very very delicious…. I’ll give it a try….. Thank you for this wonderful website……
Thanks Kitvy! Let me know how it goes.
This sounds fabulous, Michelle!! Love those flavors together :)
Thanks Girlichef :)
Love the idea of substituting quinoa in this recipe. It would also make an appropriate dish for people who are looking for lower carb dishes. Citrus and chicken work great together.
Oh yeah I didn’t even think about it being low-carb! Thanks for stopping by Penny.
Michelle, your recipes are always so beautiful! I really can’t wait to try this one! I love quinoa and I love how you used it in such a creative way in this tabouli recipe. Thanks for sharing this with Two for Tuesdays!
Oh thank you Beth! Please do try it :) Thanks for stopping by!
{ 2 trackbacks }