There are lots of beautiful and delicious recipes that represent the Mediterranean cuisine, try this fresh and healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. I would start by first preparing the quinoa, where it is cooked until it becomes soft, and is left to cool to room temperature. The stumbling block often came in the form of combining and arranging the cooked quinoa with a variety of vegetables including, but not limited to, the following: diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, red onions. This prepare is best served, and may be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. This salad is great, healthy, and can easily served as a side dish, snack or even if you are hosting a party this is good for you. Take the Mediterranean vibes and taste it in every piece!
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
The quinoa quinoa seeds are washed under cold water in a fine mesh sieve. Bring the water to the boil in a medium saucepan and add the quinoa to it. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the water has absorbed. Take away from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before emptying it with a fork.
To start with, put the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, the red onion, the Kalamata olives, the feta cheese, and the parsley in a large bowl and mix them.Pour the quinoa into a bowl and add the freshly cooked chickpeas, the tomatoes, the cucumber, the sliced red onion, the Kalamata olives, and the feta cheese together with the parsley.
Making the lemon juice, oil, and seasoning, whisk together the salt and pepper. Coat the salad with the dressing and make it up by mixing them together.
If you want it to be a Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, you can either serve it at room temperature or you can even serve it cold. It is a great option to eat this at lunchtime and would be light and refreshing as well!