Quick Lunch Idea: Veggie-Packed Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
2. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool for a few minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and chopped parsley.
4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a dressing.
5. Add the cooled quinoa to the bowl of vegetables and pour the dressing over the top, mixing well to combine all the ingredients.
6. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad and toss gently before serving.