Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Simple Garden Salad

                                                            

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced olives (black or green)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Wash and dry the salad greens thoroughly. You can use a salad spinner to remove excess water.
• In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
• If using feta cheese, sprinkle it over the salad.
• Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed. You can always add more dressing, but you can't take it away, so it's best to start with less.
• Gently toss the salad to evenly distribute the ingredients and dressing.
• Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
• Serve the salad immediately as a side dish or add grilled chicken, shrimp, or other protein of your choice to make it a complete meal.
• Feel free to customize this salad by adding other ingredients like avocado, nuts, seeds, or different types of cheeses. Enjoy your delicious and healthy garden salad

 Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a medium saucepan, bring the quinoa and water or vegetable broth to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and mint.

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss everything together until well combined.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Allow the salad to sit for about 15-20 minutes before serving, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serve the Mediterranean quinoa salad as a refreshing and nutritious main course or side dish.

This Mediterranean-inspired quinoa salad is packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a zesty dressing that make it a colorful and tasty dish. It's great for lunches, potlucks, or picnics. Enjoy!