Quinoa Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Walnuts: A Wholesome and Nutritious Delight

This delicious and healthy Quinoa Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Walnuts is a perfect dish for any meal. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, crunchy walnuts, and creamy yogurt, this salad is both satisfying and nutritious. The tangy yogurt dressing adds a refreshing touch, making it a perfect dish for warm days or as a side for your favorite mains.

### **Ingredients:**For the Salad:- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed- 2 cups water- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved- 1 cucumber, diced- 1 red bell pepper, diced- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

For the Yogurt Dressing:- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt- 2 tablespoons olive oil- 1 tablespoon lemon juice- 1 clove garlic, minced- 1 teaspoon honey- Salt and pepper, to taste

### **Instructions:**

1. Cook the quinoa:- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil.- Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked.- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Prepare the salad ingredients:- While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion, parsley, and mint.- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and slightly browned. Roughly chop the toasted walnuts.

3. Make the yogurt dressing:- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and honey.- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Assemble the salad:- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled quinoa with the prepared vegetables, herbs, and toasted walnuts.- Pour the yogurt dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is well coated.

5. Serve:- Transfer the salad to a serving dish and serve immediately.- You can also refrigerate the salad for an hour before serving if you prefer it chilled.

Enjoy this Quinoa Salad with Yogurt Dressing and Walnuts as a healthy main course or a delightful side dish!