Quinoa Summer Salad with Feta

Ingredients and Weight:

• Quinoa (cooked): 500 grams
• Feta cheese: 150 grams
• Fresh tomatoes: 200 grams (diced)
• Cucumber: 150 grams (sliced)
• Red bell pepper: 100 grams (sliced)
• Basil leaves: 20 grams (chopped)
• Extra virgin olive oil: 4 tablespoons
• Red wine vinegar: 2 tablespoons
• Salt and pepper: to taste

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 45 minutes (including quinoa cooking time)
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes (for quinoa)

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Prepare quinoa by rinsing it in water to remove any bitterness, then cooking in water until tender.
2. Dice tomatoes, slice cucumber and red bell pepper, and chop basil leaves.
3. Cube or crumble the feta cheese.
4. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber and red bell pepper, and chopped basil leaves.
5. Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix well.
6. Gently stir in the crumbled feta cheese.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
8. Serve chilled.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: Approx. 350 calories per serving (assuming 8 servings)
• Carbohydrates: Quinoa is a good source of carbs.
• Protein: Feta cheese adds protein to the salad.
• Fat: Olive oil is the main source of fat in this salad.

Dish Characteristics:

• This is a refreshing summer salad that combines the flavors of quinoa, fresh vegetables, and feta cheese.
• The use of quinoa adds a unique and creative element to the traditional salad.
• The salad is versatile and can be served as a main dish or as a side dish.

User Comments:

• "This salad was refreshing and delicious! The quinoa added a nice crunch to the salad."
• "I love the combination of quinoa and feta in this salad. It's a unique and tasty dish."
• "This is a great summer salad. The flavors blend together perfectly."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure to cook the quinoa properly to ensure its tenderness and avoid any bitter taste.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
• If you want to make this salad more hearty, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp cubes to it.