#3 Quinoa Salad
This one is easier than it sounds, and it can take you around 30 minutes tops to make! What’s so amazing about it? You can add in your protein or other foods and make it your main meal! Otherwise, you can easily just make it and have a side that works with any dish you would like to make.
If you want to, before you cook the grains, you can even toast them a little bit, so you can add a great nutty flavor to the salad that will only take you a few extra minutes. What’s more, you can use this recipe only as a base! Add or remove any ingredients you would like and customize this side dish to your own preference!
It is that easy!
- 1 and a half rinsed and drained quinoa
- 3 cups of water
- 1/4 cup of olive oil (or any other oil of your choice)
- 1/4 lemon juice
- 1 tbsp of grated lemon zest
- 6 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 4 minced cloves of garlic
- 6 tbsp minced fresh mint
- 2 mini cucumbers sliced
- 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 chopped medium bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of chopped red onion
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
If you want to toast the quinoa, start with this step. In a large saucepan, add your quinoa and stir over medium heat for up to 5 minutes, or until toasted. Otherwise, just add your quinoa to the sauce pan, top it with water, and bring the whole mixture to a boil. Once it has reached its boiling point, reduce the heat to a simmer and leave it covered until the grains have absorbed all the liquid (between 12 and 15 minutes). Move to a big bowl to cool.
After your grains are cooked, chop and prepare all your vegetables and aromatics. Then, in a small bowl, combine your oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and mint by whisking them together and adding salt and pepper to taste.
Once your dressing is ready, add your chopped vegetables on top of the quinoa, drizzle the sauce on top, and toss well until everything is combined. Serve it directly, or cover and keep it in the fridge until ready to serve!
