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Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad

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A vibrant and hearty salad packed with protein and colorful veggies, drizzled with a zesty lemon dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup chopped mixed vegetables (bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove the bitter saponins. In a pot, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
  2. Allow the quinoa to rest off the heat, covered, for another 5 minutes.
  3. Chop your mixed veggies. Dice the bell peppers, slice the cucumbers, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
  4. Rinse your can of chickpeas in a colander under cool water to minimize sodium content.
  5. Combine the cooked quinoa, chopped veggies, chickpeas, and parsley in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle over the salad and toss everything together.
  7. Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. If using feta, sprinkle it on top.

Notes

This salad tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Keep dressing on the side until ready to serve for optimal freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: quinoa salad, protein-packed salad, healthy meal, vegetarian dish, colorful salad

Find it online: https://hearthfulkitchen.com/protein-salad/