Discover the refreshing flavors of Mediterranean Quinoa Salad! Perfect for a healthy meal. Try it today! #MediterraneanDiet #QuinoaSalad #HealthyEating #Recipe #FetaCheese
The Mediterranean Quinoa Salad that’s been making waves on TikTok sounds delicious! This type of salad is typically packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. If you want to recreate or tweak it, here’s a popular recipe that’s similar to what you might have seen online:
### Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
#### Ingredients:
– **1 cup quinoa**
– **2 cups water or vegetable broth**
– **1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved**
– **1 cucumber, diced**
– **1/2 red onion, finely chopped**
– **1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced**
– **1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled**
– **1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped**
– **1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)**
– **1/4 cup red or yellow bell pepper, diced (optional)**
– **1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (optional for added protein)**
#### For the Dressing:
– **1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil**
– **2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)**
– **2 cloves garlic, minced**
– **1 teaspoon dried oregano**
– **Salt and pepper to taste**
### Instructions:
1. **Cook the Quinoa:**
– Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
– In a medium pot, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil.
– Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
– Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let it cool.
2. **Prepare the Vegetables:**
– While the quinoa is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and bell pepper if using.
– If you’re using chickpeas, you can add them to the mix as well.
3. **Make the Dressing:**
– In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. **Assemble the Salad:**
– In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled quinoa with the chopped vegetables, olives, feta cheese, and herbs.
– Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
5. **Chill and Serve:**
– Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld together. It can also be enjoyed immediately.
This salad is vibrant and refreshing, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish. Feel free to customize it with your favorite Mediterranean ingredients or add proteins like grilled chicken if you want a more filling meal. Enjoy!