This fresh and healthy protein rich quinoa salad makes a great lunch or dinner. It is also a great side dish to any meal.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Salads, vegan, vegetarian
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: breakfasts, healthy, quinoa, salads
Servings: 4
Equipment
1 sauce pan
1 mixing bowl
1 whisk
Ingredients
For salad dressing
½cupextra virgin olive oil
2tbspBalsamic Vinegar
4clovesgarlicminced
½tsp oreganodried
½tspbasildried
½tsp salt
½tsppepperground
For the Salad
1cupquinoa
1cupbell pepperdiced
1cupcucumberdiced
¼cuponiondiced
¼cupblack beanscooked
¼cupfresh basil or cilantrotorn
¼cupolives
1cupcherry tomatoeshalved
½cupfeta cheesemore for sprinkling
Instructions
Add all the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and whisk or mix well till combined. Keep it aside.
In a mixing bowl, add quinoa, black beans, bell peppers, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, feta and basil.
Drizzle the dressing all over and toss well. Taste and adjust the salt. Sprinkle more crumbled feta on top(optional), Cover with a plastic wrap or plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Serve as a lunch or dinner, even for a snack or side to any meal.
Notes
You may add cooked or boiled chick peas or any beans.
If feta not available, use grated mozzarella cheese. Tastes good even without any cheese.
Mix and match with other ingredients other veggies and nuts & seeds for variations.
You may use black or green olives.
You can increase the black beans quantity, to your taste.