Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Ginger Tahini Dressing
This light, fresh quinoa salad is filled with cucumber, pomegranate, avocado, and feta cheese. It's the perfect compliment to falafel or gyros.
Prep Time15mins
Cook Time15mins
Total Time30mins
Servings: 10servings
Calories: 283kcal
Author: Rachel Alexandra
Ingredients
1½cupsquinoauncooked
4½cupswaterdivided
1Tbspapple cider vinegar
1cupEnglish cucumberdiced
¾cupItalian parsleychopped
1avocadodiced
1pomegranate
½cupfeta cheesefreshly crumbled
¼cupolive oil
¼cuplemon juice
Celtic sea salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
2Tbsplemon juice
¼cuptahiniunsalted
1Tbspfresh gingerfinely minced
Water
Instructions
*Optional* Rinse the quinoa and place in a medium bowl. Add 1 ½ cups water and the apple cider vinegar. Stir and cover with a dish towel for 6-8 hours.
Drain quinoa and rinse again. Transfer to a small/medium pot with 3 cups of water.
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring periodically. When it is done, all the water should be absorbed and the germ ring should be released from the quinoa.
Remove from heat and transfer quinoa to a large bowl.
Add the cucumber, parsley, pomegranate seeds, avocado, and feta.
In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil and lemon juice. Then pour it on the salad and toss to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
Ginger Tahini Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk the tahini with the remaining lemon juice.
Stir in the minced ginger.
Gradually add water while whisking until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
Notes
Soaking the quinoa ahead of time is entirely optional. It allows the nutrients to become more bioavailable and makes the quinoa more easily digested. However, if time does not allow, skip the first step and rinse/cook the quinoa right away.For a vegan/Daniel fast compliant option, omit the feta. If using feta, be sure that it is bought in a block rather than pre-crumbled. Freshly crumbled cheese has a much better taste and texture since it does not have the added anticaking agents.