How do I create a mediterranean quinoa salad?

Take your taste buds on a Mediterranean escape with our flavorful quinoa salad recipe. It's a dish that will transport you to sun-soaked shores!

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I create a Mediterranean quinoa salad. Items include: mint leaves extra virgin olive oil lemon juice garlic salt pepper feta cheese quinoa cucumber tomatoes red bell pepper red onion parsley

mint leaves a handful
extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup
lemon juice 2 tablespoons
garlic 1 clove
salt to taste
pepper to taste
feta cheese optional, to taste
quinoa 1 cup
cucumber 1
tomatoes 2
red bell pepper 1
red onion 1
parsley a handful

Take note
Please be aware that this recipe requires cooking quinoa beforehand. Also, make sure to check for any allergic reactions to the listed ingredients before proceeding.

1

Cook the quinoa

Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. In a saucepan, combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Fluff it up with a fork and set it aside to cool.

2

Prep the vegetables

Chop 1 cucumber, 2 tomatoes, 1 red bell pepper, and 1 red onion into small, bite-sized pieces. If you like some extra flavor, finely chop a handful of fresh parsley and mint leaves as well.

3

Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 clove of minced garlic, and a dash of salt and pepper. You can adjust the seasoning to taste.

4

Combine everything

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped vegetables, and the dressing. Toss everything gently to coat the ingredients evenly. Feel free to add some crumbled feta cheese for an extra burst of Mediterranean goodness!

5

Let it chill

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors mingle and create Mediterranean magic.

6

Serve and enjoy

Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve it in a beautiful dish. For extra presentation points, garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Grab a fork, close your eyes, take a bite, and let the Mediterranean flavors whisk you away to a culinary paradise!