Featured recipe from Marilu's table * South-of-the-border quinoa salad

Yum!

For a vegan version, replace the chicken with a spicy-marinated tofu cut in strips.

Remember to rinse quinoa really well in a mesh strainer under running water before cooking it. It's technically a seed, and it's covered with a bitter coating to keep the birds away. Don't you like how nature looks out for itself? Just rinse it well, and you can eat it.

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South-of-the-Border Quinoa Salad

Green * Serves 6

12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1-1/2 cups vegetable stock or broth

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

zest of one lemon

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 large carrot, peeled and cut in matchstick-size sticks

1 medium jicama, peeled and cut in matchstick-size sticks

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

Put chicken in a resealable plastic storage bag. Pound chicken until thin. Combine oil, red pepper, cumin, and 2 Tablespoons lemon juice in a small bowl. Add chicken pieces. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. (If you use marinated tofu, just cut it in strips.)

Lightly oil a large saucepan and add chopped onion. Cook over medium-high heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add stock, quinoa, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook until liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Cover and let stand an additional 5 minutes.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken until instant-read thermometer registers 160F, turning once. Let it sit a few minutes, then cut into strips. (Skip this is you're using the marinated tofu.)

Combine quinoa mixture, remaining 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, rice vinegar, mustard, and cilantro. Place in large bowl. Top with chicken and vegetables. Serve warm (especially good with the chicken) or cold.