Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Steamed Vegetables

Thermomix recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Steamed Vegetables. Ready in 40 minutes. Serves 4. Step-by-step Thermomix instructions on Chef Amai.

Ingredients

• 200 g quinoa
• 1000 g water (for cooking quinoa)
• 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and cut into 2 cm pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and cut into 2 cm pieces
• 1 zucchini, cut into 1 cm thick half-moons
• 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 100 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 20 g fresh parsley, roughly chopped
• 10 g fresh mint, roughly chopped
• 60 g extra virgin olive oil
• 30 g fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water using a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This removes saponins which can make quinoa taste bitter.
2. Add 1000 g water to the mixing bowl. Insert the simmering basket and add the rinsed quinoa. Cook 18 min / 100°C / Speed 1. While the quinoa cooks, prepare the vegetables.
3. Place the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion into the Varoma dish and tray. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Once the quinoa cooking time is finished, carefully remove the simmering basket with the aid of the spatula and set aside to drain and cool slightly. Discard the cooking water from the mixing bowl.
5. Add 500 g fresh water to the mixing bowl. Place the Varoma with the prepared vegetables into position. Steam 10-12 min / Varoma / Speed 2, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove Varoma and set aside.
6. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the clean mixing bowl. Blend 10 sec / Speed 7 until well combined and emulsified.
7. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, steamed vegetables, cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.
8. Pour the lemon-herb dressing over the quinoa and vegetables. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm or chilled.

View this recipe on Chef Amai — convert any recipe to Thermomix format at chefamai.com.