Prepare the dressing that will be the base of our salad. In a small jar with a lid, pour in olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey. Add dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground pepper. Close the jar VERY TIGHTLY and shake it vigorously for about 20-30 seconds. You will see how the ingredients combine into a uniform, slightly cloudy emulsion. This is a sign that the dressing is ready.
Description
Discover the perfect solution for a healthy, stylish, and incredibly practical lunch for work – Mediterranean Sunny Power Jar! This is not just an ordinary salad; it’s a complete, balanced meal packed in an aesthetic jar that keeps all the ingredients fresh and crunchy until it’s time to eat. Inspired by the sunny cuisine of the Mediterranean Sea, it combines fluffy quinoa, protein-rich chickpeas, crunchy fresh vegetables, and creamy feta cheese. The whole dish is topped with a light, refreshing lemon-herb dressing, which is placed at the bottom of the jar. Thanks to the thoughtful, layered arrangement of ingredients, the salad doesn’t 'swim' in the dressing and won’t wilt. Just before eating, simply shake the jar vigorously to perfectly combine the dressing with the rest. This dish is a true vitamin and energy bomb that delights not only with its taste but also with its appearance – the colorful layers look beautiful through the glass, making your lunch a small work of art.
Ingredients (16)
- Komosa ryżowa (quinoa) 50 g
- Ciecierzyca konserwowa 100 g
- Fresh cucumber 75 g
- Cherry tomatoes 80 g
- Red onion 0.2 szt.
- Yellow bell pepper 0.3 szt.
- Feta cheese 50 g
- Fresh spinach 30 g
- Extra virgin olive oil 0.2 łyżek
- Lemon juice 15 ml
- Liquid honey 5 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Dried oregano 1 łyżeczka
- Salt 0.1 szczypt
- Pieprz czarny świeżo mielony 1 szczypta
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Kalamata olives 30 g
- Sunflower seeds 15 g
💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty
Preparation steps
Preparation of lemon-herb dressing
Cooking Quinoa
Measure 50g of dry quinoa. Transfer it to a fine sieve and rinse very thoroughly under cold running water for about a minute, mixing the grains with your hand. This is a key step to remove the natural bitterness. In a small pot, pour in 100 ml of water (maintaining a 1:2 ratio, meaning two parts water to one part quinoa), add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, stir, reduce the heat to the minimum, cover the pot with a lid, and cook for about 15 minutes. After this time, all the water should be absorbed. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. Finally, gently fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork to make the grains fluffy. Set aside to cool completely.
Preparation of vegetables and toppings
Wash all the vegetables thoroughly and dry them with a paper towel. Cut the cucumber into small cubes about 1 cm on each side. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel the red onion and chop it into very small pieces. Remove the seeds from the yellow bell pepper and also cut it into cubes similar in size to the cucumber. Drain the canned chickpeas in a sieve and rinse them thoroughly under cold water, then leave them to drain.
Layering the jar
This is the most important step that guarantees the freshness of the salad. Take a clean, dry jar (with a capacity of about 750 ml - 1 liter) and start layering the ingredients in the following order, creating distinct layers: 1. Pour the prepared lemon-herb dressing at the very bottom. 2. On top of the dressing, add the 'hard' vegetables: chopped red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber. They will serve as a barrier to protect the rest of the ingredients from moisture. 3. Next, add a layer of rinsed chickpeas. 4. The next layer is completely cooled quinoa. Gently spread it out without pressing too hard. 5. On top of the quinoa, place halved cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. If you are using olives, add them now. 6. At the very top, fill the jar to the brim with fresh spinach leaves. Gently press them down to fill all the empty space. If you are using sunflower seeds, sprinkle them over the spinach. Finally, tightly close the jar.
Fun Fact
Quinoa, known as the 'gold of the Incas', has been a staple in the diet of the Andes for thousands of years. It is one of the few plants that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete source of protein, similar to meat.
Best for
Tips
When lunchtime comes, take a closed jar and shake it vigorously for about 15-20 seconds, holding it upside down. This way, the dressing from the bottom will perfectly coat all the ingredients. You can eat the salad straight from the jar (with a long fork!) or, for more convenience, transfer it to a plate or bowl. Then you'll see how beautifully all the colors mix together.
Store the prepared jar in the refrigerator in an upright position. Thanks to the proper layering, the salad will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 3 days. This is an ideal solution for preparing meals a few days in advance.
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