Quinoa Salad

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PRESENTATION

Dive into a quinoa salad that really brings together freshness, bright colors, and a tender texture that’s super satisfying. I mean, really satisfying. Originating from the Andean highlands of South America, quinoa is a favorite for anyone seeking a protein boost or a gluten-free salad option. Unlike pasta or rice, quinoa offers a lighter feel but still fills you up—making it perfect for cold dishes during hot summer months. Seriously good for that. Those little moist grains soak up flavors from whatever veggies you mix in, like juicy tomatoes, crisp radishes, or some sweet zucchini. And the cheese? Adding a touch of fresh cheese, like primo sale, gives a creamy bite that pairs beautifully with crunchy greens. This dish is so versatile—swap in seasonal veggies or use whatever you have in the fridge, and it always turns out great. For real.

People everywhere have created their own versions of healthy quinoa salad, and there's a reason it shows up at so many picnics and get-togethers. The base of this easy quinoa salad recipe is simple, but the real fun comes with the extras: some folks toss in black beans for a heartier, more protein-packed salad, while others might sprinkle in feta or different herbs for extra zing. A good quinoa salad dressing—something light and maybe a bit tangy, with olive oil and lemon—ties everything together and makes those flavors pop. For sure, it does. What’s awesome about this salad is its flexibility to fit any mood, whether you’re after a quick lunch, a vegetarian dinner, or a standout side dish. Even those who don’t usually go for alternative grains find themselves digging in, thanks to the mix of crispy veggies and fresh flavors. So, next time you’re looking for something that tastes as good as it looks, toss together a quinoa salad and see how easy eating healthy can be. Pretty simple, right? This salad not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers a nutritious meal option that's as enjoyable to make as it is to eat—no question.

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INGREDIENTS
Quinoa 1.1 cups (200 g)
Green beans 0.67 cup (150 g)
Zucchini 1 ½ cup (150 g) - small
Sardinian camone tomato 5.6 oz (160 g)
Radishes 5.6 oz (160 g)
Primosale cheese 6.3 oz (180 g)
Mint to taste
Extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ tbsp (20 g)
Fine salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Quinoa Salad

To prepare the quinoa salad, first place a pot full of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa under running water; wash the green beans and trim the ends, then cut them into pieces 3/4 inch long 1. When the water boils, add salt, then add both the quinoa 2 and the green beans 3 and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat without the lid (for the cooking time of quinoa, you can follow the instructions on the package).

While the quinoa and green beans are cooking, wash the radishes, trim the top and bottom ends 4, and slice them very thinly using a mandoline 5 or a knife. Now wash the zucchini and grate them with a coarse grater 6,

then wash the tomatoes and cut them into cubes 7. After the cooking time has elapsed, drain the quinoa and green beans in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse them briefly under cold running water to cool them and stop the cooking process 8, then place the sieve over a bowl to allow excess water to drain 9.

Meanwhile, cut the primo sale cheese into cubes 10 and roughly chop the mint leaves with a knife 11. Now you can assemble your salad: in a large bowl, add the quinoa and green beans, then add the zucchini 12,

the radishes 13, the tomatoes 14, and the primo sale 15;

season with extra virgin olive oil 16 and adjust with salt and pepper. Stir to mix well and finally add the chopped mint leaves 17, stir again and your quinoa salad is ready to be enjoyed 18!

Storage

The quinoa salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight container.

Freezing is not recommended.

Tip

Let your imagination and colors run free! Feel free to choose your favorite vegetables and cheeses to enrich or replace the ingredients in the quinoa salad... if you miss a crunchy note, add some nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts!

Quinoa can be found in the more well-stocked supermarkets next to cereals (but it is not a cereal!), in fair trade shops, or in stores specializing in the sale of organic products.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.