Looking for a vibrant and nutritious dish that’s as delightful to eat as it is to prepare? Dive into the world of "Quinoa Salad with Sugar Snap Peas," where fresh ingredients come together in a colorful medley that will tantalize your taste buds! This quick and easy recipe, ready in just 25 minutes, is perfect for a light lunch, a side dish at your next gathering, or a satisfying meal prep option. With its crisp vegetables and zesty lemon dressing, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but also a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition. Are you ready to elevate your salad game? Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Sugar snap peas, trimmed
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Cucumber, diced
- Red onion, diced
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Remove quinoa from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool completely.
- While quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables: trim the sugar snap peas, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely dice the red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the dressing.
- Add the prepared vegetables to the cooled quinoa in the mixing bowl.
- Pour the lemon-olive oil dressing over the quinoa and vegetables, tossing gently to ensure even coating and distribution.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing and nutritious salad.
Tips
- Rinse the Quinoa: Always rinse quinoa before cooking to remove its natural coating, called saponin, which can give it a bitter taste. A fine-mesh strainer works best for this step.
- Perfectly Cooked Quinoa: For fluffy quinoa, make sure to let it rest covered after cooking. This allows the grains to steam and separate nicely.
- Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand. Bell peppers, radishes, or even avocados can add a unique twist to the salad.
- Chill for Flavor: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors meld together beautifully, making each bite even more delicious.
- Make It a Meal: To turn this salad into a heartier meal, consider adding protein such as grilled chicken, chickpeas, or feta cheese for added flavor and nutrition.
- Season to Taste: Don’t be shy about adjusting the seasoning! Taste the salad before serving and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your palate.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
