Are you tired of boring, predictable salads that leave you hungry and unsatisfied? Get ready to revolutionize your meal prep with this vibrant Quinoa Salad with Cucumber, Mint, and Shallot Vinaigrette! Bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors, this recipe is not just a salad—it's a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and make your friends beg for the recipe. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a dish that's not only incredibly delicious but also packed with nutrition and stunning visual appeal.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Cucumber
- Fresh Mint
- Shallot
- Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing 1 cup of quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. This helps to remove the natural coating called saponin, which can give quinoa a bitter taste.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables and dressing. Dice 1 medium cucumber into small cubes and set aside.
- Finely chop 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves and set aside. This will add a refreshing flavor to the salad.
- Next, prepare the shallot vinaigrette. Finely chop 1 small shallot and place it in a small bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the chopped shallot. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.
- Once the quinoa has finished resting, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the diced cucumber and chopped mint to the bowl with the quinoa.
- Pour the shallot vinaigrette over the quinoa salad and gently toss to combine all the ingredients. Make sure the quinoa is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Serve the quinoa salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra mint leaves if desired. Enjoy your Mediterranean-inspired dish!
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove the bitter saponin coating and ensure a clean, nutty flavor.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer when rinsing quinoa to prevent losing the tiny grains.
- Let the quinoa rest after cooking to achieve the perfect fluffy texture.
- For maximum flavor, allow the salad to sit for 10 minutes before serving, letting the vinaigrette marinate the ingredients.
- Use fresh mint leaves for the most vibrant and refreshing taste.
- Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best vinaigrette flavor.
- Feel free to add additional protein like feta cheese or grilled chicken to make it a more substantial meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
