Description
A vibrant and refreshing Simple Quinoa Salad packed with fresh vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty lemon-honey dressing. This nutritious salad is quick to prepare, perfect as a light meal or a healthy side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa
- 200 g Quinoa
- 500 ml Vegetable stock
Vegetables & Cheese
- 50 g Cherry tomatoes (Halved)
- 1/2 Cucumber (Cut into thin semi-circles)
- 100 g Pitted olives (Halved)
- 100 g Feta cheese
- 15 g Fresh mint leaves
Dressing
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 6 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Honey
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water using a sieve until the water runs clear to remove any natural bitterness.
- Cook the quinoa: Add the rinsed quinoa to a saucepan with the vegetable stock. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then cover with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed all the stock. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.
- Make the dressing: While the quinoa cooks, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl to create a bright and flavorful dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine quinoa and dressing: Once the quinoa is cooked and slightly cooled, add it to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat the quinoa evenly and allow it to cool further for about 10 minutes.
- Add vegetables and garnish: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, halved olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Scatter fresh mint leaves over the top for a fragrant finish. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is essential to remove its bitter coating called saponin.
- Use cold vegetable stock or water for cooking quinoa to maintain its fluffy texture.
- The salad can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to substitute feta with a vegan cheese alternative for a dairy-free option.
- Adjust the honey quantity to balance the acidity of the lemon juice according to your taste preference.
