Mediterranean Style Quinoa Salad
Presenting the Mediterranean-style Quinoa Salad that is my absolute favourite.
I grew up eating Middle Eastern food, and when I first moved to Australia, it took me some time to find Middle Eastern restaurants or at least restaurants that were serving Middle Eastern cuisine. So I started making most of my favourite recipes at home.
I initially started this recipe as Tabouleh. I swapped Bulgur with Quinoa, and before I realised it, it turned into an entirely new recipe.
Crunchy Delight: Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad with Minty Zest
This recipe brings together grilled vegetables, roasted chickpeas, and fresh kale and cucumber for a crunchy texture. It's flavoured with a mint dressing, adding zing from the lemon and a burst of freshness from the mint.
Ingredient Exploration: Customising Your Versatile Quinoa Salad
Let's talk about the ingredients. I love that this salad is very versatile and gives me the option to use different veggies each time. This means you can also swap some of the veggies for your favourite ones.
Veggies
I usually include grilled starchy veggies (like sweet potatoes, or regular potatoes), fresh greens (like kale or lettuce) for a crisp base, onions, and fresh veggies for that extra crunch. Don't forget the herbs—they give a nice fresh kick!
Protein, Dried Fruits & Nuts
This salad has lots of protein, thanks to quinoa, chickpeas, and nuts. And event without the chicken, it's still full of plant-based protein that gives your body what it needs to stay strong and healthy.
Ideal for vegans and vegetarians, but if you're a meat lover, throw in some grilled chicken.
Nutrient-Rich Goodness
This plant-based protein powerhouse promotes overall health, offering a mix of essential nutrients, fibre, and antioxidants. A bowl of this salad is what your body needs, and here's why:
Quinoa:
- A complete protein source with all essential amino acids.
- High in fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and B-vitamins.
Pine Nuts:
- Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
- A good source of protein, promoting muscle health.
- Rich in antioxidants and nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
Chickpeas:
- Excellent plant-based protein source, supporting muscle strength.
- High fiber content aids digestion and helps maintain blood sugar levels.
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals such as iron and folate.
- Abundant in antioxidants, protecting cells from damage.
- High in fiber, supporting digestive health.
- Rich in vitamins like vitamin C and A, essential for immune function and skin health.
How To Make Quinoa Chickpea Salad?
If you're using chicken, marinate and refrigerate it for 20 minutes.
While it's marinating, cook the quinoa following the package instructions, then set it aside to cool.
In the meantime, season the sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, and olive oil, placing them in the oven to grill for approximately 10 minutes until tender, then add the capsicum.
Allow another 5 minutes then add the chickpeas.
Assembling The Salad
Now that all your salad ingredients are washed, veggies are chopped and grilled, and quinoa is cooked, you're set to assemble your salad.
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, then drizzle the mint dressing over them. Toss the salad together until well-mixed.
Serve immediately for a fresh experience or, for enhanced flavours, refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Explore the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean with our Mediterranean-style quinoa Salad. This wholesome dish features perfectly grilled chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and colourful capsicums, combined with the richness of quinoa and the crunch of pine nuts.
Tossed in a refreshing mint dressing, the salad boasts the zing of red chilli and the freshness of cucumber, kale, and cilantro. Optional marinated chicken provides a protein boost, creating a symphony of taste and nutrition in every bite.
Whether for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, this salad is a delightful choice for health-conscious food enthusiasts, bringing the essence of the Mediterranean to your table.
- 1 can chickpeas
- 600 g of chicken breast
- 2 cup of quinoa
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup of Dried doji berries
- 2 cup of kale
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 red capsicum
- 1 green capsicum
- 1 red chilli
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/2 cup of cilantro
- 1/2 an onion
- Mint Salad Dressing
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- Marinating Chicken (if using):
If using chicken, marinate it for 20 to an hour minutes before cooking with your preferred marinade.
- Cooking Quinoa:
Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Set aside to cool.
- Grilling Vegetables and Chickpeas:
Grill sweet potato, red capsicum, and green capsicum until they are tender and have grill marks.
Then add the chickpeas and grill until they're slightly crispy.
Let the grilled ingredients cool before assembling the salad.
- Preparing Vegetables:
Finely chop the kale, red chilli, cucumber, cilantro, and onion.
- Assembling the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, grilled chickpeas, grilled vegetables, chopped kale, red chilli, cucumber, cilantro, and onion.
- Add the pine nuts and dried goji berries to the bowl.
- Making the Mint Dressing:
Prepare the mint dressing according to the recipe.
- Pouring the Dressing:
Drizzle the mint dressing over the salad. Toss everything together until well combined.
- Serving:
Serve the quinoa salad immediately, or refrigerate for a few hours before serving to let the flavours meld.
