Salad with quinoa and greens

A salad with quinoa and greens is nutritious and versatile. Here’s a recipe that combines quinoa with a variety of greens and a flavorful dressing:

Quinoa and Greens Salad

Ingredients:

• For the Salad:

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups mixed greens (e.g., spinach, kale, arugula, or Swiss chard)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds or sunflower seeds (optional)

• For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (or red wine vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Quinoa:

   • In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce 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. Fluff with a fork and let cool.

2. Prepare the Salad:

   • In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

3. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and honey or maple syrup (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

4. Assemble the Salad:

   • Add the cooled quinoa to the salad and toss to combine.
   • Drizzle with the dressing and toss again to coat evenly.
   • Top with crumbled feta cheese and sliced almonds or sunflower seeds, if desired.

5. Serve:

   • Serve immediately, or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

This salad is great for meal prep and can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. Feel free to customize it with additional ingredients like roasted vegetables or avocado!