Quinoa, Toasted Corn and Cherry Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Feta

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa rinsed well
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic or as needed, minced
• 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
• 8 ounces tofu baked smoked, 1 package, diced, optional
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
• 1 cup cucumbers diced
• 1/4 cup black olives cored and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves freshly chopped
• 1/4 cup mint leaves freshly chopped
• 1 each chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped, or to taste, optional
• 23 cup walnuts coarsely chopped and toasted
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, extra-virgin
• 1 x salt and black pepper to taste

1. Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Reduce the temperature to a simmer, cover and cook until the water has been absorbed, 15 minutes, remove from the heat, and let sit for another 5 minutes.
3. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
4. Set aside.
5. Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
6. Add the corn, stirring often, toast the corn for about 10 minutes until the corn turn into brown in spots.
7. Set aside.
8. Put the quartered cherry tomatoes into a salad spinner, spin a few times to get rid of the excess liquid.
9. With a melon spoon get rid of the seeds of cucumber, cut into cubes, if still feel too much liquid, use the salad spinner to remove the extra liquid.
10. In a large bowl, add the corn, tofu if using, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, parsley, mint and chipotle if needed.
11. Add the olive oil and lemon juice, mix well.
12. Add the toasted walnuts and feta cheese.
13. Toss well to combine.
14. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
15. Serve or put in the frige for a couple of hours or overnight, the flavor will be even better.

water, quinoa, olive oil, clove garlic, corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, parsley, mint leaves freshly chopped, chili peppers, walnuts, feta cheese, lemon juice freshly squeezed, olive oil, salt

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/quinoa-toasted-corn-cherry-toma-52473 (may not work)