Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

This vibrant Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing is a refreshing midnight dish, perfect for those craving a healthy and satisfying meal. Packed with colorful veggies and protein-rich quinoa, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Quinoa - 100 grams
• Cucumber - 1 medium, diced
• Cherry tomatoes - 150 grams, halved
• Red bell pepper - 1 medium, diced
• Carrot - 1 medium, grated
• Red onion - 1/4 medium, finely chopped
• Fresh parsley - 30 grams, chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

Steps

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove bitterness, then combine it with 200 ml of water in a saucepan.
2. Bring the quinoa to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
3. Remove from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
4. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables: dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red bell pepper, grate the carrot, and finely chop the red onion.
5. In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, grated carrot, chopped red onion, and parsley.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
7. Once the quinoa is ready, add it to the bowl with the vegetables and pour the dressing over the top.
8. Toss everything together until well combined, and let the salad sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein and fiber from quinoa, promoting satiety and muscle health.
• Packed with vitamins and antioxidants from fresh vegetables, supporting overall health.

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