Quinoa Salad with Pears and Feta

 

### Quinoa Salad with Pears and Feta Recipe

This refreshing quinoa salad combines the sweetness of pears with the tanginess of feta cheese, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepare this delightful salad.

#### Ingredients

- **1 cup quinoa**

- **2 medium pears**, cored and diced

- **1/2 cup feta cheese**, crumbled

- **1/4 cup walnuts**, chopped (optional)

- **1/4 cup dried cranberries** (optional)

- **2 green onions**, sliced

- **1/4 cup fresh herbs** (such as parsley or mint), chopped

- **3 tablespoons olive oil**

- **2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar**

- **Salt and pepper to taste**

#### Instructions

1. **Cook the Quinoa:**

   - Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness.

   - In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool.

2. **Prepare the Dressing:**

   - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste.

3. **Combine Ingredients:**

   - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled quinoa, diced pears, crumbled feta cheese, chopped walnuts (if using), dried cranberries (if using), sliced green onions, and fresh herbs.

4. **Dress the Salad:**

   - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to combine all ingredients well.

5. **Serve:**

   - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

This salad is not only nutritious but also versatile; you can customize it by adding other ingredients like arugula or swapping walnuts for other nuts as desired[3][4][7]. Enjoy your delicious quinoa salad with pears and feta!

Citations:

[1] https://www.themediterraneandish.com/quinoa-salad/

[2] https://goodnessavenue.com/rocket-pear-quinoa-salad/

[3] https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/recipes/quinoa-salad-pears-feta-and-herbs

[4] http://foodivore.net/quinoa-salad-with-pears-and-herbs/

[5] https://yeaheating.com/arugula-quinoa-pear-salad/

[6] https://www.savour-magazine.co.uk/food/roasted-quinoa-with-feta-and-pear-salad/

[7] https://www.foodservicedirector.com/recipedia/pear-quinoa-salad

[8] https://digest.nakedfoods.com.au/rocket-pear-quinoa-salad/