If you would like to serve yourself up a plate of health, look no further. Quinoa is almost the perfect food. Most of the world's quinoa comes from Peru and Bolivia and it's chock full of everything that's good for you. It's a very clever whole grain as it is a complete protein source although it's a plant. This means when your teenage daughter informs you she has become a vegetarian, you don't have to panic about lack of protein, just pull out the quinoa. Hold on, it gets better, it's gluten-free, a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorous AND is high in magnesium and iron. Oh, I almost forgot, it's delicious.

• 1 cup of quinoa


• juice and zest of 1 lemon


• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar


• 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil


• salt and pepper


• 1 orange pepper, diced


• 1 yellow pepper, diced


• 1/2 an English cucumber, diced


• 1/2 cup of cranberries


• 4 - 6 0z of feta cheese


• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley


• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds (optional)


• salt and pepper

• Cook quinoa according to the package directions, drain and pour into a large bowl.

• Toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan on medium heat. Set aside to cool.

• Make a dressing using the juice and zest of the lemon, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and olive oil. Whisk together and pour over the cooked quinoa.

• Chop the vegetables and add them to the qunioa along with the feta cheese and toasted almonds if using.

• Squeeze a little more lemon juice over the salad before serving.

Enjoy by itself or as an accompaniment to chicken or fish.