Description
Discover how to make a delicious and nutritious Quinoa Salad Bowl packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. Perfect for a healthy meal anytime!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine-mesh colander
- 2 cups (480ml) water
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups (255g) cooked chickpeas
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- ¾ cup (180ml) chopped red onion (from 1 small red onion)
- 1 cup (240ml) finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (from 1 large bunch)
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) red grape vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the quinoa, place it in a pot with the water. Heat on medium-high until it starts boiling, then lower the heat to keep it gently bubbling. Let it cook without covering until all liquid is absorbed, which should take around 15 minutes. Gradually reduce the heat as necessary to sustain a gentle simmer. Once done, remove from the heat, cover the pot, and allow it to sit for 5 minutes so it becomes fluffy.
- In a big bowl, mix together the chickpeas, cucumber, red bell pepper, onion, and parsley. Set this mixture aside for later.
- In a separate small bowl, blend the vegetable oil, lemon juice, red grape vinegar, garlic, and sea salt. Whisk until it’s well mixed, then set aside.
- When the quinoa has cooled a bit, add it to the large bowl with the other ingredients. Pour the dressing over everything and toss until all is well combined. Taste and season with freshly ground black pepper, adding more salt if needed. For the best taste, allow the salad to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before enjoying it.
- This dish stays fresh for about 4 days when stored in a covered container in the fridge. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Consider enhancing the salad with chopped cherry tomatoes or diced avocado for added freshness.
- Adjust the dressing by increasing lemon juice or red grape vinegar for a tangier flavor.
- Add a touch of spice with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, or customize with herbs like mint or cilantro for extra flavor.
