Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Savor the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this healthy and delicious Quinoa Salad, featuring fresh vegetables, herbs, and feta cheese, all brought together with a tangy zaatar-sumac dressing. This versatile dish is perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or a nutritious addition to your Passover meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup diced cucumber

• 1 cup diced red pepper

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1 teaspoon zaatar

• 1 teaspoon sumac

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed and drained quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and has absorbed all the water. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Prepare vegetables: While the quinoa is cooling, dice the cucumber and red pepper, finely chop the onion, and chop the parsley and mint. Set aside.

3. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, mustard powder, and ground cumin until well combined.

4. Assemble salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, red pepper, chopped onion, parsley, and mint. Toss well to combine.

5. Add dressing: Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and mix gently to ensure the salad is evenly coated.

6. Top with feta, zaatar, and sumac: Transfer the quinoa salad to a serving platter or individual plates. Top with crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle zaatar and sumac over the salad.

7. Serve and enjoy: Serve the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Feta and Zaatar-Sumac Dressing at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy! This can be prepared in advance, the quinoa will soak up the delicious flavors from the dressing. Throw some over greens to add more fiber to you meal!