Quinoa Salad Recipe: A Nutritious and Refreshing Summer Dish

Looking for a nutritious yet simple meal that can be prepared in no time? Try our quinoa salad recipe! This dish is perfect for a light summer lunch or as a side dish. With its versatility, you can adjust the flavors to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed

To make this delicious quinoa salad, all you will need are:

• 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped finely
• 1 small red onion, sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Firstly, prepare the quinoa by rinsing it well under cold running water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add in the rinsed quinoa, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Once the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and let it sit covered for another 5-7 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

While the quinoa is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Dice the cucumber into small pieces, slice the red onion thinly, and chop the bell pepper finely. In a large bowl, gently mix all these ingredients together after draining excess water from them if necessary.

Add in the cooked quinoa to the bowl with the other ingredients. Drizzle over 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and season according to your taste preference using sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly combined.

Optional: For a bit more freshness, add some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving if you like that extra touch. If desired, refrigerate for about 30 minutes after assembling the salad to allow all flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

1. This quinoa salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
2. It also makes an excellent accompaniment to tacos and burritos, adding crunch and color to these dishes.
3. You could use it as part of a mezze platter along with other dips like hummus or baba ghanoush.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Each serving provides:

• About 150 calories
• A good amount of fiber
• Fully half your daily intake of vitamin C
• Vitamin A, manganese, and protein.

Summary

Quinoa salad is not only easy to prepare but also packed full of nutrients that make it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their diet. Its versatility allows you to experiment with different toppings or pairings based on what ingredients you have available locally and seasonally.

The preparation process takes around 30 minutes, including the time needed to cook the quinoa, which is mostly hands-off. You can easily adjust the proportions of each ingredient to better suit your personal preferences or dietary needs.

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p>Whether you're hosting a small gathering at home or just want a quick and healthy lunch for yourself, this quinoa salad recipe will serve you well. Enjoy experimenting with it!