Summer grain and veggie salad (framework)

I am going to give you a framework, a detailed recipe, and a bunch of suggested variations here. I make this salad all the time, especially in the summer, but I have probably never made it the same way twice. Even calling it a salad is a bit of a stretch. I would prefer to call it "tasty healthy things in a bowl with dressing," but that's a bit long. But it's easy to make, everyone likes it (especially Andy), and it's great for using up leftovers (esp. grilled veggies) so that's why I'm sharing it.

Most often, this salad is approximately equal volumes grains and a combo of veggies/fruits/beans, with a lemon-olive oil-herb dressing and some optional "flair". You could certainly go lighter on the grains, but I like the texture, taste, and filling-ness lent by a predominance of grains. So, to break down the ingredients and amounts required for a big bowl (to feed at least 6 people), here's the framework.

Framework
Dressing. Juice of 1.5-2 lemons, about 3 T. olive oil, big handful of herbs, salt and pepper. The herbs in my kitchen have been mint and parsley almost all summer. The mint has been going gangbusters since May and we keep getting lots of parsley in the CSA. Almost any other fresh herb would be delicious: oregano, thyme, basil, sage, rosemary (but in moderation), tarragon (also in moderation), cilantro (might want to go with lime instead of lemon since they're so good together!)

4-5 c. cooked grains. My favorites are quinoa, followed by bulgar wheat. Brown rice, couscous, and barley are all good as well. I like quinoa and bulgar the best, and use them most often because they are whole grains (unlike couscous, although there is whole wheat couscous), and fast cooking (unlike brown rice or barley). Quinoa is a good protein source too.

4 c. veggies/fruits/beans. The veggies can be cooked or not (depending on what they are). I usually don't want to put the whole CSA in the salad; rather, I'll pick 3-5 veggies that complement each other, in the context of the herbs or other flair items (read on for what that means). I don't often put fruits (besides dried ones like raisins), but could certainly imagine a barley/pumpkin/apple/onion salad in the fall (with sage? mmmm...)! Beans are also optional, and I generally put in a smaller volume of beans than veggies, like 1 can, if using canned beans. Black-eyed peas, lentils, white beans, garbanzos, black beans are all great, as would be edamame, fava, or lima beans (don't think I've ever used those guys, will have to try).

Flair. Make the salad special with a smaller amount of toasted nuts, olives, marinated artichoke hearts or peppers, or cheese (goat cheese, parmesan, feta, chunks of gouda, fresh mozzarella) sprinkled on top or tossed at the last minute. Marinated and cooked tempeh is also awesome.

Detailed recipe
Here's what I made last night for dinner, and what is pictured (will upload picture later).

Dressing
Juice of 1.5 lemons
3 T. olive oil
Small handful parsley leaves (roughly separated from stems)
Small handful mint leaves (thoroughly separated from stems)
12-15 cherry tomatoes (I put them in the dressing cause they were starting to get a bit past their prime, they'd be fine sliced into the salad with the other veggies too).
Salt and pepper

2 c. dry quinoa

1 T. olive oil
salt
5 medium Yukon gold potatoes, in a 1/4 - 1/3 inch dice
3 shallots, diced
2-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 yellow squash, sliced

1. Pulse all dressing ingredients in food processor or blender. Herbs and and tomatoes can still be chunky, based on your preference. Set aside in serving bowl.
2. Bring 3 c. water to a boil with a little salt. Rinse quinoa in at least 3 changes of waters. Rub the grains vigorously with your hands while submerged**. When boiling, add the quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for about 10 minutes, or till all water is observed and quinoa is al dente (I like it with a little crunch still).
3. Toss cooked quinoa with dressing in serving bowl and refrigerate.
4. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a cast iron or other large skillet. Add potatoes and cook for about 8 minutes, till they are edible but still undercooked.
5. Add the shallot, continue to cook, stirring frequently, till the shallot is translucent (about 5 minutes).
6. Add the garlic and squash. Cook till squash is just softened (less than 5 minutes).
7. Combine veggies into the rest of the salad in the bowl, toss, and add more salt and pepper to taste if desired. Serve or refridgerate. It's good warm, room temperature, or cold. If I had it on hand, I also would have tossed in some feta cheese at this point.

**Rinsing the quinoa thoroughly is necessary to remove bitter surfactants called saponins. The way I do it is to submerge the quinoa in a bowl, agitate it with my hands, and then hold a length of cheesecloth across one edge of the bowl, and drain. The quinoa are so small they go through many collanders (at least all of mine). Repeat that process at least 3 times and don't sweat losing a few down the drain.

Other suggested combinations
1. Mint, parsley-bulgar-green onions, cucumbers, tomatoes-olives (this is kind of like tabouli)
2. Thyme-barley-sauteed mushrooms, onions, spinach, lentils-toasted pecans or walnuts
3. Oregano-brown rice-shredded raw carrots, beets (cooked or shredded raw), garlic, golden raisins-pine nuts, parmesan
4. Cilantro, lime juice-quinoa-grilled red peppers, jalapenos, shredded cabbage, black beans-pepitas (pumpkin seeds)