Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish packed with fresh herbs, crunchy pistachios, and creamy feta. It’s a perfect light lunch or a colorful side that’s easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 bag Success Boil-In-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa, or 1 heaping cup of cooked quinoa
• 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the quinoa according to the package directions. Once cooked, set it aside to cool, ideally placing it in the fridge or freezer to chill before combining with the other ingredients.
2. Step 2: Make the lemon vinaigrette by mixing the olive oil, lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and dijon mustard in a small jar or bowl. Stir well, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, chopped cucumber, feta cheese, pistachios, red onion, fresh mint, and parsley. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss everything gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Serve immediately or chill the salad for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before enjoying.

Tips & Variations

• For extra protein, add grilled chicken or shrimp to make this salad a more filling meal.
• Swap pistachios for toasted almonds or walnuts for a different crunch and flavor.
• If you prefer a tangier dressing, increase the lemon juice by a tablespoon and reduce maple syrup slightly.
• Use fresh herbs generously as they really brighten up the salad and enhance freshness.

Storage

Store the quinoa salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors develop nicely after chilling, but be aware that the pistachios may soften over time. To re-serve, you can enjoy it cold or let it come to room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of quinoa for this salad?

Yes, you can use any type of cooked quinoa such as white or red quinoa. The tri-color variety adds extra visual appeal but does not affect the flavor significantly.

Is this salad suitable for vegans?

To make it vegan, simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative. The rest of the ingredients and vinaigrette are vegan-friendly.

Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 58 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing quinoa salad inspired by Jennifer Aniston, featuring tri-color quinoa, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, herbs, tangy feta, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. This nutritious and flavorful salad is perfect as a light lunch or a healthy side dish.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Boiling (Quinoa preparation), No-Cook (salad assembly with no further cooking)
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 1 bag Success Boil-In-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa, or 1 heaping cup of cooked quinoa
• 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Lemon Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Quinoa: Prepare the Success Boil-In-Bag Tri-Color Quinoa according to the package directions. Once cooked, set it aside and place it in the fridge or freezer to chill before combining with other salad ingredients.
2. Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small jar or mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and dijon mustard until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chilled cooked quinoa, drained chickpeas, chopped cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, chopped pistachios, finely diced red onion, chopped fresh mint, and chopped fresh parsley.
4. Toss with Vinaigrette: Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated.
5. Serve: For best flavor, chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy this fresh and wholesome quinoa salad as a main or side dish.

Notes

• Chilling the quinoa and the assembled salad enhances the flavors and texture.
• You can substitute pistachios with toasted almonds or walnuts if preferred.
• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
• This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.

Keywords: quinoa salad, Jennifer Aniston recipe, tri-color quinoa, chickpea salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad