High Protein Quinoa Chickpea (Print)

A vibrant, protein-packed quinoa and chickpea dish with fresh vegetables and feta. Ideal for a nutritious lunch or gathering.

# Components:

→ Grains & Legumes

01 - 1 cup quinoa
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cucumber, diced
05 - ½ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

→ Dairy

06 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp olive oil
08 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
09 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water to remove bitter coating.
02 - Combine quinoa with 2 cups water or vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and grains are tender. Let cool slightly.
03 - While quinoa cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and chop the fresh herbs.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chopped herbs, and crumbled feta cheese.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine thoroughly.
07 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a chilled, refreshing presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It keeps beautifully in the fridge for days, actually tasting better as the flavors meld together
  • You get complete protein from the quinoa and chickpeas without needing any meat at all
  • The whole thing comes together in about 25 minutes start to finish
02 -
  • Letting the quinoa cool slightly before mixing prevents the feta from melting into a weird consistency
  • Adding the dressing while the quinoa is still slightly warm helps it absorb more flavor
  • The salad actually improves after sitting for 30 minutes in the refrigerator
03 -
  • Make a double batch and keep it in airtight containers for easy lunches all week
  • If meal prepping, store the dressing separately and add it right before eating
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