I am dramatically and frantically holding on to the warm weather while it still exists. I’m going into winter kicking and screaming! It barely gets to autumn around here, it just goes straight from balmy to reasonably cool almost overnight. But during the day, it’s still salads all the way! Especially this herby lemon quinoa salad number.
Having said that, I’ve been eating sandwiches for lunch for a week. But you get my point.
I still switch up between brown rice and quinoa for the basis of my lunchtime salads, I like them to be pretty filling. Ain’t nobody satisfied after a lettuce lunch, that’s fo sho. Quinoa has won out here more often lately because I’ve been using the leftovers to make little patties for the kids, and everyone seems happy with it. Brown rice balls are the next kid food on my list to try – surely they’ll eat anything in spherical form, yes?
My herbs are doing well with all the rain, but I need more of them. I’m reticent to plant anything else knowing that we’re moving at the end of the year, but herbs have gotta be a staple in back yards anyway. They elevate everything to stellar level!
What is also a not-negotiable in this salad is grape tomatoes. They just have that amazing sweet, rich, tomatoey flavour that is totally necessary. Home grown is best, of course, but if the incessant rain has murdered your darling plants like it has mine, then I’ll forgive some purchased ones. Lord knows I try, but am thwarted at every turn!
Anyhow, have a salad. It goes beautifully for dinner as a side dish, or serve it up straight for a lunchtime treat. Super easy, super delicious.
PrintLemon Quinoa Salad with Herbs and Feta
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Australian
Description
Such a delicious, lemony, bright salad to chase away the grey days.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa
- 1 punnet of grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 Small lebanese cucumber, sliced in half and then in small pieces
- 1 Large avocado, diced
- 150g danish feta
- 1 handful each coriander and flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 Large lemon, juiced and 1/2 rind zested
- 2 tablespoons flax oil
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper (be generous here!)
Instructions
Mix all salad ingredients with the lemon zest together, shake over the salt and pepper. Drizzle withe lemon juice and flax oil, then stir to combine.
Notes
Some nuts or seeds over the top for crunch would be excellent!
Keywords: Quinoa salad, lemon quinoa salad, summer salad, summer quinoa salad
thelifeofclare says
I love quinoa! That looks like a delicious salad. I’ve already moved on to soups for lunch and dinner. I love to have warming,hearty food in these cooler months.
Natalie@foodforlittlesouls says
I have totally become addicted to soups for lunch too. They are about the only thing i get excited about in winter….and naval oranges. But this salad certainly looks hearty and may just pass muster as an awesome winter salad – nat@foodforlittlesouls
Veggie Mama says
I wish I liked oranges!
Veggie Mama says
soup FTW! I’ve been having it for dinner at least once a week.
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
Yeah I’m a big salad muncher, and it’s absolutely freezing here in Melbourne – has been for three months. But it’s the whole no-cooking thing that I love. Just chop and chuck in a bowl. So easy.
Veggie Mama says
Ohhh I’m already scared of how cold I’m going to be in Melbourne 🙁
Lizzie B says
That looks delicious! I love making big salads up for work lunches as well, and you’re definitely right, lettuce just doesn’t cut it! That being said, I’m freezing in Melbourne since getting back from tropical Vanuatu, so it’s soups and curries and winter warmers around here already!
Veggie Mama says
Ooh a bit jealous about Vanuatu! That would have been lovely and warm. This is so good for work lunches, it holds up so well. Well, if you add the avocado daily!
Gluten Free A-Z Blog says
We are big salad lovers and of course we are just heading into the hot weather. Yours looks delicious.Love the addition of avocado.
I linked a recipe for a gluten free dairy free quinoa patty Thanks for hosting..
Veggie Mama says
Oh that will be great, thank you! Off to have a little look…
Lisa Mckenzie says
I love this recipe Stacey I am going to make this tonight so I can have it for lunch all week and it might just go with whatever we are having for dinner too.Thankyou I am always looking for yummy quiona recipes.
Lisa Mckenzie says
Ooh and I forgot to say my herbs are going way good this year,plant some strawberries as mine are still producing berry’s yum,and as long as you remember to water them thye are easy peasy to grow.We have already had frost down here 🙁
Veggie Mama says
Oh that’s a good idea, I forgot all about strawberries!
Lisa Mckenzie says
Get thee and grow them hon,nothing tastes nicer than a homegrown strawberry!
MotherDownUnder says
And I might just be heading into the kitchen to make this for lunch today!
I happen to have all of the ingredients…so serendipitous!
Veggie Mama says
I love that when it happens!
Meanwhile, I am making Paula Deen’s mac and cheese…
JG says
Does anyone know where to get decent quality quinoa at a reasonable price? Supermarket prices seem stupidly high for a very small quantity…
Veggie Mama says
I hear there’s some issue with how it is grown… but I buy quinoa from the bulk bins at my health food store. I find it’s much more reasonably priced that way and I can buy the amount I need.
Nikki | Styling You says
I have quinoa in the freezer … know what I’m doing with it now! x
Veggie Mama says
Sling some over the fence!
Smaggle says
Um… YES! This is so dinner tonight… I need a detox after 48 hours of stead salt and wine consumption.
Veggie Mama says
Um, I think I’m more jealous than you! Especially if your salt consumption included cheese….
Christie Connelly says
Yes! Cherry tomatoes make all salads divine for sure!
Veggie Mama says
They are tiny balls of amazingness.
Diane Balch says
Quinoa is awesome and I just learned about using the left overs to make patties… brillant.
wendyhpl says
I somehow stopped following you on bloglovin and thought you disappeared off blogging! Good to be back on a Meatless Monday! Lots of catchup posts to read!
amandaattard says
Loving your blog and this salad looks super delicious. I’ve nominated you for a shine on award http://amandaattard.com/?p=306&preview=true
Miachel (Spiced Curiosity) says
That’s cool you have an herb garden! Which ones are you growing? 🙂
For Meatless Monday, I have more of a dessert than a meal – Cherry Berry Cardamom Popsicles – but they’re pretty darn good. I like the deeper flavor in them.
Fi @ My Mummy Daze says
Ummm, YUMM! I want this now! Looks so fresh & healthy! Fi xx
Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye says
Quinoa is on my list of to-do’s. This looks to-do able!
janetreid2 says
Looks so delicious.
Michelle says
Just made this for lunch, second time eating Quinoa, first time cooking with it. It was yum. Loved the lemon in it. This will be a regular in my lunch box for a while.
Veggie Mama says
Oh I’m so pleased to hear! Thanks so much for letting me know. It’s a big favourite of mine 🙂
Annette O'Reilly says
Love to hear about your recipe for Brown rice or Quinoa balls – sounds like something my kids would love too 🙂