Ingredients and Weight:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (185 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion (50 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (50 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber (50 grams)
- 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes (25 grams)
- 1/4 cup chopped feta cheese (25 grams)
- 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives (25 grams)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (3 grams)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (3 grams)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 grams)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (30 grams)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (1 gram)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty Level: 1 (Easy)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve for 1 minute to remove any bitterness.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa, 2 cups of water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, parsley, and mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss to combine.
- Serve the salad immediately or let it chill for a few hours before serving.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 10 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
Dish Characteristics:
- Light and refreshing
- Savory and tangy
- Healthy and nutritious
- Perfect for a light lunch or dinner
- Versatile and customizable
User Comments:
- "This salad is absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors is perfect."
- "I love that this salad is so easy to make and it's always a hit with my guests."
- "This is a great make-ahead salad that's perfect for busy weeknights."
- "I added some grilled chicken to this salad and it was amazing!"
- "This is the perfect salad to enjoy on a warm summer day."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Make sure to rinse the quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitterness.
- If you don't have red wine vinegar, you can substitute white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- You can add other vegetables to this salad, such as zucchini, carrots, or celery.
- If you're serving the salad immediately, you can skip the chilling step.