A Refreshing Summer Salad

The recipe is copyrighted by Epicurious, so I won't list all that info here. I've provided a link to the page; I hope that it works for you (and for their lawyers.) 

This recipe comes from Epicurious, where it is listed as: Summer Squash and Red Quinoa Salad with Walnuts. As of this posting, 92% of the reviewers who answered the question, said they would make it again. I thought it was a bit work intensive on the front end for a side salad, but since it has protein rich quinoa and walnuts...as well as cheese, it could be served as a meal, at least at a ladies' luncheon in the heat of the summer months. My fellow likes to see some meat on the table, though. I should add that even with the front end work required, I was able to start prep for the full meal after four and had everything on the table by six.  So, I guess that just means I'm a lazy cook.

Made my quinoa first, and put in a shallow bowl
in the refrigerator to chill while I did the other
steps and rest of the meal.

As a side, it was really refreshing. There's lemon and lemon zest involved in the dressing, nice salty Parmesan for a garnish, some fresh basil leaves for another flavor boost. All in all, satisfying. Here it was well-received alongside meatballs and green beans. 

Would I make it again? Yes, I would. Did I tell them I would? No, I didn't.

Things done differently than the recipe: 

• as some online comments suggested,  prepared the quinoa according to package directions
• used tri-color quinoa, instead of red, only
• omitted walnuts