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Chef Linda
Linda Soper-Kolton, Chef, came to the Sanctuary as a guest chef to share her love of compassionate cooking in our then-fledgling culinary program. Lured by the magic of the Sanctuary, her love of animals and the urgency of our mission, Linda stayed on to lead and grow the culinary program, inspiring and educating with love, patience, and delicious food.
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Mediterranean Couscous-Quinoa Salad with Tahini Sauce

This salad makes for a delicious and interesting addition to any picnic or potluck but could work just as well in cooler weather by leaving out the tomato and cucumber. It uses basic pantry ingredients and fresh vegetables that you might just be growing in your garden! While either the couscous or quinoa can stand on its own in this salad, the combination of them adds color, texture, and variety to this dish. Gluten-free eaters can substitute the same amount of quinoa (or millet) for the couscous. And don't forget the tahini sauce! Sauces can take some of your favorite meals from "yawn" to "wow" and this one couldn't be any easier to make. This recipe is perfect for substitutions so make it your own by experimenting with foods that have a Mediterranean personality!

Ingredients

 ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
 1 cup water
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ cup instant couscous
 ½ tsp salt
 1 cup boiling water
 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or substitute 1 large tomato, chopped)
 ½ medium cucumber, chopped
 ¼ cup cup pitted black or kalamata olives, chopped
 ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts or hearts of palm (or both!)
 ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, or more, if desired, for a bright fresh taste
 ¼ cup sliced almonds (or substitute sunflower or raw pumpkin seeds)
 2 tsp capers, drained
 1 tsp olive oil
 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Tahini Sauce
 ½ cup tahini
 ⅓ cup warm water
 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced
 2 tsp toasted sesame oil

Directions

1

Bring quinoa, water, and salt to a boil in a small pot. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the quinoa is tender with just a little bite to it. Don't overcook or you'll lose the texture. Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.

Place the couscous and salt in a large bowl. Add the boiling water. Cover with a plate and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the plate, and fluff with a fork. Add the quinoa to the couscous, and gently mix to combine. The grains should be separate and not mushy.

Mix in the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, artichoke, hearts of palm, parsley, almonds, and capers. Drizzle in the oil and lemon juice over everything and toss together.

To make the tahini sauce, stir everything together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the flavors, if desired.

Serve with tahini drizzled on top.

Notes

Mediterranean Couscous-Quinoa Salad with Tahini Sauce
IngredientsDirections

Mediterranean Couscous-Quinoa Salad with Tahini Sauce

DifficultyEasy
YIELDS
Serves 6 to 8

Mediterranean Couscous-quinoa salad
INGREDIENTS

 ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
 1 cup water
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ cup instant couscous
 ½ tsp salt
 1 cup boiling water
 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or substitute 1 large tomato, chopped)
 ½ medium cucumber, chopped
 ¼ cup cup pitted black or kalamata olives, chopped
 ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts or hearts of palm (or both!)
 ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, or more, if desired, for a bright fresh taste
 ¼ cup sliced almonds (or substitute sunflower or raw pumpkin seeds)
 2 tsp capers, drained
 1 tsp olive oil
 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Tahini Sauce
 ½ cup tahini
 ⅓ cup warm water
 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced
 2 tsp toasted sesame oil

DIRECTIONS

1

Bring quinoa, water, and salt to a boil in a small pot. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the quinoa is tender with just a little bite to it. Don't overcook or you'll lose the texture. Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.

Place the couscous and salt in a large bowl. Add the boiling water. Cover with a plate and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the plate, and fluff with a fork. Add the quinoa to the couscous, and gently mix to combine. The grains should be separate and not mushy.

Mix in the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, artichoke, hearts of palm, parsley, almonds, and capers. Drizzle in the oil and lemon juice over everything and toss together.

To make the tahini sauce, stir everything together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the flavors, if desired.

Serve with tahini drizzled on top.

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