Description
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a healthy and flavorful dish that brings together cooked quinoa, roasted tomatoes, fresh arugula, cucumbers, herbs, feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onion, pine nuts, and a zesty Italian dressing. It’s perfect as a nutritious lunch or a vibrant side dish for dinner. The salad can be prepared ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prep.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 recipe Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup sliced Persian cucumbers
- 1 cup mixed fresh basil and mint leaves
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¾ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 cup roasted chickpeas
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 recipe Italian Dressing
- 2 additional garlic cloves, grated
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, a few pinches
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, roasted tomatoes, arugula, sliced cucumbers, mixed basil and mint leaves, crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, diced red onion, and toasted pine nuts. Mix gently to integrate the ingredients evenly.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle half of the prepared Italian dressing over the salad mixture, then toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the dressing coats all ingredients.
- Season the salad: Sprinkle the sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes over the tossed salad. Toss once again to distribute the seasonings well throughout the salad.
- Adjust and serve: Taste the salad and add more dressing as needed to reach your desired flavor balance. Finally, top the salad with roasted chickpeas for added texture and serve immediately.
Notes
- The quinoa and roasted tomatoes can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the feta cheese, and optionally substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean