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Simple to make, healthy and delicious, this Caprese Quinoa Salad is a huge crowd pleaser!
When I think of summer foods, I picture light salads, grilled vegetables and of course, fun cocktails! (We all believe in moderation, right?) This salad is so fresh and light and packed with protein, even without any meat. Quinoa provides all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) and the vegetables, fresh basil and mozzarella pack on the flavor!
During the summer I usually only share 1-2 recipes a week because my (very busy) children are home with me. School has even officially ended yet and I am already feeling crazed. Why are there so many presentations and parties in the last few weeks of school?
One of the many good things about having my kids home with me is that they love to help me while I take my pictures. Which is very helpful (at times) because this is me, holding the dressing bottle in one hand, while trying to hold the camera in the other hand and snap this picture. Not so great. I need my little helpers.
So back to summer…although it hasn’t really started yet, we are certainly busy with sports and such after school. I made this on one of those busy nights and I let it sit in the refrigerator to “marinate” a bit. It was delicious!
Caprese Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked quinoa rinsed and drained
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup red grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup yellow grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil. torn and chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
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Cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to instructions.
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Allow to cool completely.
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Prepare dressing by adding oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in sealable glass jar. Shake well.
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Add tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese to cooled quinoa.
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Toss with dressing and allow to sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours so all of the flavors marinade.
Here’s to healthy light salads all summer long!
This looks so delicious! I’m not a huge fan of quinoa plain but I love it when it can soak up delicious dressing flavors. This looks awesome!
YES!! You need aaaaaall the flavors 🙂
My daughter and I adore quinoa! And I am always looking for unique ways to enjoy it and this sounds so wonderful – love, love the tomatoes and mozzarella in this!
Thanks Shashi! I hope you both like it!
I love trying different quinoa salads! This one sounds so good!
Thank you!
Nice! I love grain salads of every kind and that fluffy bed of quinoa looks perfect for this caprese salad!
Quinoa is the best!
I’m all about those same foods during the summer. I love anything that’s “caprese”
Yes Angie! Caprese everything 🙂
Just made this salad tonight but put a twist on it…added the cherry tomatoes with tomato and basil Feta cheese, avocado, and asparagus. Made your dressing as well…super excited to see how it turns out!!
Ooooh that sounds delicious Diana! Let me know how you like it!
I CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE THIS CAPRESE QUINOA SALAD! IT LOOKS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!
I hope you love it as much as we do Dee!
loving this recipe even more, I made it at the weekend and all I can say is More more more 🙂
Yay! Love that Beverly!!
This looks awesome! I love how colorful this is!
Thank you!
You won me over. Quinoa. Caprese. Balsamic. Heaven!
I totally agree Kristen! HEAVEN!
Such a perfect summer dish and I love that your boys helped you with this post! Hope you’re enjoying the summer so far 🙂
Thanks Allie!! Happy Summer to you!
This looks like a salad that could keep me happy for days! Thanks, Lauren!
Yes, definitely makes you happy 🙂
What a beautiful dish, perfect for summer!
Thank you Julie!