Preparation Time:
30 min
Ingredients:
- 150g of quinoa
- 300ml of water
- 100g of cherry tomatoes
- 100g of cucumber
- 50g of red onion
- 50g of feta cheese
- 20g of olives
- 30ml of lemon juice
- 30ml of olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Kitchen Tools Needed:
- bowl
- whisk
- knife
- cutting board
- pot
Instructions:
Wash the quinoa with cold water by rinsing it thoroughly until running water stays transparent. Heat 300ml of water to boiling temperature in a pot before adding the quinoa together with a hint of salt. You should cover the pan and let the simmer continue for 15 minutes at low heat until the water completely absorbs where the quinoa will become light and fluffy.
During cooking time prepare all the veggies by reducing cherry tomatoes and cucumber and red onion into appropriately sized pieces. A large mixing bowl combines the prepared veggies along with olives and crumbled feta cheese because the salt from feta creates a perfect match for fresh vegetable flavors.
A dressing bowl contains olive oil, fresh lemon juice along with salt and pepper mixed in a small bowl. The vibrant dressing will connect each flavor after shaking.
Add your cooled quinoa to the salad vegetables after it reaches a temperature that prevents vegetable wilting. Apply the tasty dressing generously across all contents and carefully stir for complete coating of every piece.
You can add a touch of freshness and color using fresh parsley that you should sprinkle on top. Serve this salad cold right away or enjoy it after brief refrigeration as the tastes develop stronger.
Macros:
- Total Calories: 525kcal
- Carbs: 50g
- Proteins: 15g
- Fats: 25g
Lemon Dressing Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is an exciting and fresh meal that captures the essential harmonious balance between nutritious grains and sporty vegetables and acrid and acidic tastes. The salad perfectly reflects the essence of Mediterranean cuisine, as it is simple, fresh, colorful, and healthy, so it is a perfect choice as a light lunch or a healthy side dish. The highlight of the salad is quinoa, as it is also referred to as a supergrain. It contains all the nine essential amino acids, and it is high in protein; hence a complete protein source, and gluten-free. The fluffy and nutty texture, as well as the taste of quinoa make a good building block that perfectly compliments the fresh vegetables and creamy feta cheese.
Washing quinoa completely is significant as it helps to discard the natural protective layer known as saponin that would impart a bad flavor when left in the grain. When quinoa is cooked correctly, it will end up tender and fluffy and that is the ideal consistency that will allow quinoa to be used in a salad and not become mushy or hard. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion bring the freshness and crisp, adding to the overall dish a natural flavour of sweetness. The green colors are enough to give the salad a very good looking color, and the colors are enough to bring in vitamins and antioxidants. The Mediterranean flavour composition complements the fresh vegetables with a briny richness that olives provide.
Feta cheese adds a creamy, salty flavor that goes well together with fresh vegetables and the dressing that has a lemony taste. The crumbly texture enables it to spread within the entire salad so that each bite of salad would taste like a bit of that meaty-tangy taste. Good quality feta takes the dish to another level in addition to being authentic since it is Mediterranean. The lemon dressing is bland yet effective blending juice of fresh lemon, oil of olive, salt and pepper. The light dressing unites all the components of this dish and does not stifle their natural flavors. The lemon juice acidity makes the dish appear brighter, and the olive oil rich and healthy fats. This salad can be prepared in a lot of ways. Other quintessential things that can be added include chopped bell peppers, artichoke hearts or even toasted pine nuts just to give it some texture. And it keeps too, which is why it is such a good make-ahead in meal prep or lunching. It is a cold dish, which is particularly refreshing in warmer temperatures, although good year round.
