Famous Quinoa Herb Salad (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 2 cups water
02 - 1 cup quinoa or bulgur wheat, uncooked

→ Fresh Produce & Herbs

03 - 1/3 cup chopped red onion
04 - 1 cup diced cucumber
05 - 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
06 - 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped

→ Protein & Nuts

07 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 1 (15-ounce) can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
09 - 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, roasted and salted

→ Dressing & Seasonings

10 - Juice from 2 lemons (5-6 tablespoons)
11 - 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
12 - Pinch of sea salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Wash and drain the quinoa. Put it with the water in a small pot. Turn on the heat until it boils. Lower to a gentle simmer, cover it, and let it cook for 15 minutes. Fork up the quinoa to fluff it and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to cool down.
02 - In a medium-sized bowl, combine the quinoa, cucumber, parsley, mint, red onion, pistachios, chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and feta. Stir together well.
03 - Eat it right away or chill it in the fridge for a few hours if you want it cold.
04 - Move the salad to a sealed container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

# Notes:

01 - If you feel like trying bulgur, cook it by letting it simmer for 12 minutes after boiling, covered. Drain any water if needed.
02 - To make it vegan, skip the feta or get a vegan cheese alternative.
03 - Toss in some cubed avocado to make it creamier and add some rich, healthy fats.
04 - Use sunflower seeds or roasted almonds if you’re looking for a nut-free swap instead of pistachios.