A daring declare? Extra like a daring taste, like this quinoa salad components put together a facet dish that you simply'll wish to pair with every entree.
I've had numerous quinoa salad in my time, so I communicate with some authority once I name this the BEST quinoa salad you'll ever have. It has all of the components you'd count on—quinoa (in fact), cucumber, bell pepper, feta, onion—however the dressing, I believe, advantages from being so easy. You possibly can most likely make it straight away with out operating to the grocery retailer. Plus, apart from salt and pepper, this salad doesn't depend on spices and seasonings to style good.
Perhaps that's why it tastes so contemporary and alive, and why it’s best to make it as your subsequent meal!
You'll love this recipe as a result of:
- It's made with quinoa, cucumber, purple pepper, purple onion, and feta cheese—components which can be creamy, crunchy, spicy, and nutty.
- Excellent for a light-weight lunch or making ready meals for the subsequent day. You possibly can simply make this salad forward of time and maintain it within the fridge for a couple of days.
- I like the wealthy colours and the truth that it's vegetarian and gluten free means it's an choice for nearly all diets!
Is that this quinoa salad wholesome?
- Quinoa is gluten-free and filled with vitamins like protein, fiber and antioxidants.
- You possibly can get pleasure from this salad as a part of a well-balanced weight-reduction plan and use it to assist intestine well being and preserve weight.
- Its excessive protein share will help you meet your every day protein wants.
Quinoa salad variation
- If there's something on this salad you don't like, merely depart it out or substitute one other vegetable of your alternative. As a substitute of peppers or cucumbers, you’ll be able to add chickpeas or roasted pumpkin.
- In case you are not a fan of feta cheese, you’ll be able to change it with grated/shredded parmesan, gorgonzola, goat cheese or mozzarella.
- Use contemporary herbs comparable to mint or contemporary cilantro as an alternative of parsley.
Continuously requested questions and suggestions
Let the salad cool utterly. Switch it to an hermetic container; you’ll be able to maintain it within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Earlier than consuming the salad once more, give it a very good toss to redistribute the dressing.
You possibly can select between white and purple quinoa. Use white quinoa if you would like a fluffier texture, or purple quinoa for those who favor one thing grainier. I like to make use of white quinoa for this recipe, which has a milder taste when cooked.
Sure, it’s best to at all times rinse quinoa underneath chilly water for no less than 1 minute earlier than cooking. This helps take away the bitter style from the quinoa.
I exploit a quite simple dressing for this salad, however it is rather versatile and goes nicely with every other vegetable. Nevertheless, be at liberty to regulate this salad dressing by including a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar as an alternative of purple wine vinegar.
1. I exploit a quite simple dressing for this salad, however it is rather versatile and goes nicely with every other greens. Nevertheless, be at liberty to regulate this salad dressing by including a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar as an alternative of purple wine vinegar.
2. You possibly can select between white and purple quinoa. Use white quinoa if you would like a fluffier texture, or purple quinoa for those who favor one thing grainier. I like to make use of white quinoa for this recipe, which has a milder taste when cooked.
3. You need to at all times rinse the quinoa underneath chilly water for 1 minute earlier than cooking. This helps take away any bitter style from the quinoa.
Quinoa Salad Serving Strategies
Fast-Cooked Shrimp: Quinoa pairs nicely with seafood, together with shrimp. Begin with the quinoa, then the shrimp. Each will likely be performed on the similar time, making this cookware low upkeep.
Seared Ahi Tuna Steak: Yet one more seafood dish. This super-healthy tuna steak is ready in a candy and savory sauce that you would be able to add to your quinoa salad to style.
Hen breast on the range: The following time you make hen, contemplate this quinoa salad as an alternative of potatoes (cable, fries, or in any other case). It's wholesome and scrumptious and the hen goes nicely.
Recipe
Print the recipe
Components
Salad:
- 1 cup raw quinoa rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium cucumber seeds and chopped
- 1 medium purple bell pepper chopped
- 1 small purple onion sliced
- 2 respectively feta cheese fell aside
- 1 bunch contemporary parsley chopped
Dressing:
- 2 table-spoon further virgin olive oil
- 2 table-spoon lemon juice
- 1 table-spoon purple wine vinegar
- tweak salt and contemporary black pepper
Directions
-
In a medium saucepan, mix the rinsed quinoa with the water. Deliver to a boil over medium-high warmth. Let the combination simmer for about quarter-hour, or till the quinoa has absorbed all of the water.
-
Take away the pot from the warmth and let it cool.
-
In a small bowl, combine the dressing components (olive oil, lemon juice, purple wine vinegar). Whisk till mixed, then season with salt and pepper.
-
In one other bowl, mix the cooked quinoa, cucumber, bell pepper, purple onion and parsley. Throw nicely.
-
Crumble the feta cheese over the quinoa salad and let the salad relaxation within the fridge for no less than 5 minutes earlier than serving. Get pleasure from it!
Diet
Calorie: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 70G | Protein: 19G | Fats: 26G | Saturated Fat: 6G | Polyunsaturated fat: 5G | Monounsaturated fat: 13G | Ldl cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 1082mg | Fiber: 10G | Sugar: 8G | Vitamin A: 4505IU | Vitamin C: 129mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 7mg
