Quinoa Salad / Tabbouleh with Quinoa

A delicious salad which can be done in less than 30 minutes. Very nutritious and very filling. This will serve 2 for dinner or 4 as a side.. The flavor and aroma of mint, lemon and coriander is too good. This is my choice for Q - International

Ingredients
Quinoa - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups
Olive Oil - 2 table spoons
Salt - 1//2 tea spoon + 1/2 tea spoon + 1/4 tea spoon
Italian Seasoning - 1/2 tea spoon (optional)
Pepper powder - 1 tea spoon
Tomatoes - 3/4 cup (chopped)
Cucumber - 2 cups (chopped)
Olives - 10 (sliced)
Nuts of choice - 1/4 cup
Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup
Mint Leaves - 2 table spoons
Lemon Juice - 1 table spoon
Lemon Zest - 1/4 tea spoon

Method
Cook quinoa in water and 1/2 tea spoon salt until done. Took me around 20 minutes in the microwave. Fluff 3 times in between
Take the cooked quinoa and fluff it well and set aside to cool
In a strainer add chopped cucumber and tomatoes and olives with 1/2 tea spoon salt. This will remove the extra moisture content from them and ensure that the salad does not become soggy
Toast the nuts in microwave for 2 minutes or until a nice aroma comes
In a big bowl, mix together cucumber, tomatoes, olives, Italian seasoning, coriander leaves, mint leaves, lemon juice, lemon zest and roasted nuts
Add 1/4 tea spoon salt and pepper powder and olive oil
Garnish with coriander leaves and mint leaves and serve!!!
This can be served in room temperature

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