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To create your Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowl, gather these fresh ingredients: - 1 cup quinoa, thoroughly rinsed - 2 cups vegetable broth or water - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cucumber, diced into small pieces - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional) - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste Each ingredient brings its own flavor and health benefits. Quinoa is a great source of protein. Chickpeas add fiber and make this bowl hearty. Cherry tomatoes provide sweetness. Cucumbers add crunch, and red onion gives a sharp bite. Kalamata olives introduce a briny taste, while feta cheese adds creaminess if you choose to include it. Fresh parsley brightens the dish. Olive oil and lemon juice create a zesty dressing, while oregano adds an earthy touch. Use these ingredients to make your bowl colorful and tasty. You can mix and match based on your preferences too! First, take one cup of quinoa and rinse it well. Rinsing helps remove the bitter taste. Next, add the quinoa to a medium pot with two cups of vegetable broth or water. Bring this mix to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it boils, lower the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes. When all the liquid is gone, remove it from heat. Fluff the quinoa gently with a fork and let it cool. While the quinoa cooks, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together three tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add one teaspoon of dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and some cracked pepper. Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. A good dressing adds life to your bowl. Now, grab a large mixing bowl. Add one can of drained chickpeas, one cup of halved cherry tomatoes, one diced cucumber, and half a finely chopped red onion. Toss in a quarter cup of sliced Kalamata olives and a quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently to mix everything. This mix adds great color and flavor to your bowl. Once the quinoa has cooled, add it to the bowl with the veggies and chickpeas. Carefully pour the dressing over the top. Use a spatula to toss everything together. Make sure the dressing coats all the ingredients well. This step is key for flavor! If you want to add feta cheese, sprinkle a quarter cup of crumbled cheese on top before serving. You can serve the bowls warm or chilled. For a nice touch, spoon the mixture into individual bowls. Garnish with extra parsley and olives for added color and flavor. Enjoy your healthy delight! To fluff quinoa, let it sit after cooking. Take a fork and gently stir the quinoa. This method separates the grains and makes it light. Fluffing helps each bite feel fresh and airy. It also improves the texture of your bowl. Taste the dressing before adding it to your salad. If you want more tang, add more lemon juice. For a richer flavor, increase olive oil or salt. Don’t be afraid to mix in herbs like basil or mint. This adds a personal touch to your meal. Store ingredients in airtight containers. This keeps them crisp and full of flavor. Use vegetables within a few days for the best taste. If you have leftover salad, keep it in the fridge. Just add fresh dressing before serving to keep it tasty. {{image_4}} If you want to switch up the protein, try adding grilled chicken or shrimp. Both pair well with the flavors in this bowl. You can also use tofu or tempeh for a veggie option. These proteins add great texture and taste. For a vegan twist, skip the feta cheese. You can add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Try adding avocado for creaminess too. This will keep the dish plant-based while being very satisfying. Change up the veggies based on the season. In summer, add bell peppers or zucchini. In winter, roasted sweet potatoes or carrots work great. This keeps your bowl fresh and exciting all year long! To keep your Mediterranean chickpea quinoa bowls fresh, store them in an airtight container. They stay good in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure the bowls cool down before sealing. This prevents moisture, which can make your meal soggy. You can freeze these bowls for later. Portion them into freezer-safe containers. They last for up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat, just take one out and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat, place the quinoa bowl in the microwave. Heat it for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check if it's hot enough before eating. You can also warm it up in a saucepan over low heat. Adding a splash of olive oil or a bit of water helps to keep it moist. To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free quinoa. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Always check labels on any broth you use. Some broths may have gluten. Yes, you can prepare the bowls in advance. Cook the quinoa and chop the veggies ahead of time. Store each part separately in airtight containers. This keeps everything fresh. If you want a substitute for feta cheese, try goat cheese or avocado. Both add creaminess. For a vegan option, use tofu or a vegan cheese. These bowls last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container. Check for freshness before eating. Yes, this dish is great for meal prep. It packs well for lunches or snacks. Just store the dressing separately to keep veggies crisp. This blog post covered a fresh quinoa salad recipe, highlighting ingredients, steps, and storage tips. You learned how to cook quinoa, prepare a tasty dressing, and combine ingredients for a bright salad. I shared useful tricks for keeping your salad fresh and variations to try. Remember, whether you stick to the basic recipe or explore the alternatives, this salad is fun and easy to make. Enjoy creating your own variations as you savor each bite!

Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowls

Discover the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowls that are not only delicious but also nutritious! Made with fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and chickpeas, this recipe is easy to prepare in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, these bowls are packed with protein and flavor. Click through to explore the full recipe and enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at home!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup quinoa, thoroughly rinsed

2 cups vegetable broth or water

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, diced into small pieces

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the thoroughly rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth or water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Once done, remove from heat and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork before setting it aside to cool slightly.

    While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if necessary to suit your palate.

      In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, and chopped parsley. Stir gently to ensure the ingredients are well distributed.

        Add the cooled quinoa to the bowl with the vegetables and chickpeas. Carefully pour the dressing over the mixture and use a spatula to gently toss everything together until well coated and evenly mixed.

          If you choose to include feta, sprinkle the crumbled cheese generously on top just before serving. You can serve the bowls warm or chilled for a refreshing meal.

            - Presentation Tips: Spoon the mixture into individual bowls and consider garnishing each bowl with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley and some olives for added color and flavor.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4