Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines the goodness of quinoa with fresh Mediterranean ingredients. It's a perfect option for a light lunch, a side dish, or even a healthy main course. Here's a simple recipe to make this delicious salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for a vegan version)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitterness. Drain well.

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3. In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.

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5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese (if using), parsley, and mint.

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7. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.

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

10. Let the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad sit for about 15-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

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12. You can serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it for a few hours to let the flavors intensify. It's a great salad for meal prep too!

Feel free to customize the salad by adding other Mediterranean ingredients like artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad