Ingredients
To prepare a delightful quinoa salad, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup chickpeas, canned and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your quinoa salad:
- In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- In a large bowl, mix together the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, chickpeas, and parsley.
- Add the cooled quinoa to the bowl and gently toss to combine all ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently until well coated.
Serving Suggestions
This quinoa salad is not only nutritious but also versatile. Serve it as a side dish or as a main course. It can be enjoyed fresh or made ahead for a quick lunch option. Feel free to customize the ingredients by adding your favorite vegetables or proteins!