Quinoa Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing: A Nourishing and Vibrant Side Dish

This Quinoa Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing is a delightful and healthy dish that brings together the nutty flavor of quinoa, colorful vegetables, and a refreshing lemon yogurt dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish for any meal or as a light main course. The fresh ingredients and zesty dressing make it not only tasty but also packed with essential nutrients.

Ingredients:
– 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
– 2 cups water
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cucumber, diced
– 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
– 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Lemon Yogurt Dressing:
– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon lemon zest
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint.

3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint. Pour the lemon yogurt dressing over the salad and toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.

5. Serve: Transfer the quinoa salad to a serving dish. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Enjoy this vibrant and healthy Quinoa Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing as a fresh addition to any meal!