Imagine a vibrant, refreshing dish that transports you straight to the sunny shores of Greece with every single bite! This Greek Salad with Grains isn't just another salad—it's a culinary adventure packed with nutrition, flavor, and pure Mediterranean charm. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a flavor seeker, or someone looking to elevate their meal game, this recipe promises to be your new obsession that combines ancient grains with classic Greek ingredients in a spectacularly delicious way.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Remove quinoa from heat and let it cool to room temperature, fluffing with a fork occasionally to prevent clumping.
- While quinoa is cooling, wash and dice cucumber into small, uniform cubes.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, ensuring they are similar in size for even distribution in the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Crumble feta cheese over the grain and vegetable mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to preference.
- Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing and nutritious meal or side dish.
Tips
- Quinoa Perfection: Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter. Use a fine-mesh strainer for best results.
- Temperature Matters: Allow quinoa to cool completely before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting of vegetables and maintain crisp textures.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk your olive oil and lemon juice dressing separately to ensure perfect emulsification and even flavor distribution.
- Feta Freshness: Use high-quality, authentic Greek feta for the most authentic taste. Crumble it just before adding to maintain its texture.
- Chill Factor: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Customization: Feel free to add fresh herbs like oregano or mint for an extra burst of Mediterranean flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
