Description
This Mediterranean Quinoa Power Bowl is a vibrant, nutrient-packed meal combining fluffy quinoa with fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s perfect as a healthy lunch or light dinner, and can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled for versatility.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed)
- 2 cups water
Vegetables & Add-ins
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives (sliced)
- 1/2 cup canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring the rinsed quinoa and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
- Rest Quinoa: Remove the saucepan from heat and keep it covered for 5 minutes. Afterward, fluff the quinoa gently with a fork and allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced kalamata olives, rinsed chickpeas, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently to distribute evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled according to preference.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or falafel for extra protein to make it more filling.
- This bowl stores well in the fridge and is excellent for meal prep, making it a convenient grab-and-go option.
- To make this recipe vegan, swap feta cheese with a dairy-free alternative like vegan feta or omit it entirely.
