Description
Jennifer Aniston Salad is a refreshing and nutritious quinoa-based salad featuring chickpeas, cucumber, fresh herbs, pistachios, and feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing. This make-ahead salad is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, minced
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 4 oz
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Lemon Dressing
- 1/2 cup lemon juice, ~3-4 lemons
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemon Dressing: Add lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to a jar with a tight-fitting lid or a small bowl. Shake or whisk vigorously until the ingredients are well combined and emulsified.
- Cook the Quinoa: Pour chicken or vegetable stock into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the dry quinoa, then reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the broth.
- Cool the Quinoa: Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains. Transfer it into a large mixing bowl or storage container and allow it to cool. Cover and refrigerate until chilled; this can be done a day or two in advance.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the chilled quinoa to a large mixing bowl. Incorporate the chickpeas, chopped cucumber, minced red onion, chopped parsley, chopped mint leaves, roasted salted pistachios, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with the prepared lemon dressing to taste and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve and Store: Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use quinoa labeled as “pre-rinsed” to avoid the need for additional washing; Bob’s Red Mill Organic Quinoa is a recommended brand.
- Cooking and chilling the quinoa a day ahead enhances the texture and flavor when combined with the other salad ingredients on the day of serving.
- The nutritional information includes the entire quantity of lemon dressing; you may adjust usage of dressing to control the calorie and fat content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
