Quinoa Salad with Almonds and Grapes

Quinoa is not a typical Indian food. A close friend introduced me to quinoa sometime ago. Quinoa is a great source of proteins, fibres and iron. In an effort to eat healthy, I have been experimenting with some salad recipes while trying to add a bit of Indian touch to them. Here's one I did yesterday (I am not sure of the Indian flavor, but we quite enjoyed it).

Quinoa
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups of water

Salad
2 tsp Olive oil
1/2 cup chopped white onions, red and yellow bell peppers
1/4 cup cubed cottage cheese
1/4 cup red seedless grapes cut in halves
12-15 chopped almonds

For dressing
Fresh lime juice
White vinegar
Black pepper
Garam masala
Salt to taste

Soak the quinoa in the water for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly (I do it 3 to 4 times, if not washed well, Quinoa can taste bitter). Cover it in water in a pot, add salt to taste and cook until soft.

In a pan, add olive oil and the chopped onion, bell peppers and cottage cheese and saute (the bell peppers should be slightly soft but not mushy).

Whisk the dressing in a salad bowl and mix the cooked quinoa, the sauteed vegetables, grapes and almonds.