You knew I couldn’t stay away from quinoa for long! I’m officially addicted to making quinoa salads. As someone who works from home, it’s SO nice to have a big healthy salad in the fridge during the week. But if I worked in an office, I’d also love packing this as my lunch every day. It’s really filling and delicious, so it’s basically perfect. I loosely followed a recipe for Quinoa, Lentil, and Feta salad, but made a bunch of changes.
Quinoa, Lentil, and Feta Salad (serves 4):
- 1 C quinoa
- 1 t olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 T tarragon
- 2 C lentils
- 1/2 cucumber, lightly peeled and diced
- 1 C feta cheese, crumbled
- 6 scallions (spring onions), thinly sliced
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 T red wine vinegar
Cook the quinoa as directed and then set it aside to cool.
Cook your lentils as directed as well, and let those cool.
Heat olive oil in a small pan and cook the shallot for a few minutes until it’s softened. Then add the tarragon to the pan, stir it well, and remove from heat.
Chop up your scallions and cucumber.
Now, just mix everything together! Also, mix in feta, orange zest and juice and vinegar. Stir well and keep chilled.
The salad was super refreshing and actually a little bit spring-like. But since the temperature in Boston is getting up to the 60s today (omg 60s!!!), it’s quite appropriate. I absolutely love this time of year. It’s still March, but you never really know what the weather will be from day to day. It COULD snow, but it also could be beautiful and sunny and in the 60s!
Too bad I’m stuck inside working all day. But at least this salad is chilling in the fridge.
If you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying lunch, I’m pretty sure this is it. Between the quinoa, lentils, and vegetables, it’s a nutritional powerhouse. And remember, you can alter it any way you want. Don’t like cucumbers? Maybe try a green or red pepper. The options really are endless.
Which means I’ll probably have another quinoa salad or dish for you soon. I can’t get enough of it and I love that I don’t even have to feel guilty about that. Plus, I might need to make up for how much of my sister’s peanut butter chocolate cheesecake I ate last night. It was so worth it though!
[Sues]
If being addicted to quinoa salads is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.
DELISH! i’ve never had quinoa but i might have to try this this weekend 🙂
Looks great! I still have never made quinoa myself, but this looks like a perfect spring treat =)
I add make mine that way, too, but sometimes I’ll add chopped sundried tomatoes and olives. It tastes like you’ve just entered the Mediterranean. Enjoy the nice weather! 🙂
I made quinoa this weekend…I put marinated red peppers and onions in it and then had it with a pice of baked haddok. It was yummy! It tastes great and is super filling. Have to admit it looks a littttle funny when cooked correctly- the package explains it as when “the germ separates” I made the mistake of not rinsing it enough the first time.
Hey you made my recommendation!!! I’m so pleased!!! And even more pleased that you enjoyed it. Sharing the BBC good food love. Hurrah!
This looks great – we’re huge quinoa fans over here . . . have a 5 lb. bag from Costco in my cupboard right now. Lots of protein in there w/those lentils + quinoa – all good!
I LOVE quinoa. It’s great as a southwestern type salad, too: beans, tomatoes, corn, cilantro, scallions, etc.
Now, who said dieting can’t be fun? This looks like a great dish for lunch! So refreshing!
Just tried this salad and it is soooooo good! Like, addiction-level good. I love the way everything fits together so well. Thanks for giving me another option for my quinoa fetish!