🥗 Mediterranean Winter Quinoa Salad 🍅

Servings: 4 🍽️

Prep Time: 15 minutes ⏱️

Cooking Time: 20 minutes 🔥

Total Time: 35 minutes ⏲️

📝 Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa, rinsed 🌾

2 cups water or vegetable broth 🍲

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅

1 cup cucumber, diced 🥒

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 🫒

1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced 🧅

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese 🧀

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 🌿

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 🌱

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional) 🌰

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons olive oil 🫒

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 🍋

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 🟡

1 garlic clove, minced 🧄

1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup 🍯

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Cook the Quinoa:

In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly. 🌾🔥

Prepare the Vegetables:

While the quinoa is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and herbs. Set aside. 🍅🥒🌿

Make the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. 🍋🫒

Assemble the Salad:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. 🌱🧀

Serve:

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts, if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days. 🥗

💡 Tips:

Quinoa: For extra flavor, toast the quinoa in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before cooking. 🌾

Customizations: Add roasted winter vegetables like butternut squash or sweet potatoes for added warmth. 🍠

Make Ahead: This salad is perfect for meal prep; the flavors deepen over time in the fridge. 🧊

Enjoy your vibrant Mediterranean Winter Quinoa Salad! 🍽️😋