Mediterranean Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables

This Mediterranean-inspired quinoa salad is a healthy and flavorful side dish or light lunch. With roasted vegetables, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, it's easy to make and packed with Mediterranean flavors.

The inspiration for this recipe came to me during a trip to Greece, where I fell in love with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean cuisine. I wanted to create a dish that captured the essence of those flavors, using simple, fresh ingredients that could be easily found in any grocery store. After experimenting with different combinations of vegetables and spices, I settled on this recipe as the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 25 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 zucchini, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.
4. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions.
5. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
6. Combine the quinoa and roasted vegetables in a bowl.
7. Stir in the feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, if using.
8. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Why It Works

• The combination of roasted vegetables and quinoa creates a hearty and satisfying base for the salad.
• The feta cheese adds a salty and tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the vegetables.
• The sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated burst of umami that complements the other flavors in the salad.