Ben's Blt Chilled Quinoa Salad Recipe

Cook the Quinoa

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.

Cook the Bacon

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet, drain on paper towels, and chop into small pieces once cooled.

Chop Vegetables

While the bacon is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces, and finely chop the fresh parsley.

Mix the Sauce Ingredients

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Combine Salad Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and parsley. Drizzle the garlicky sauce over the top and toss gently to combine.

Toast the Sourdough

Toast the slices of sourdough bread until golden brown. You can use a toaster or a skillet over medium heat.

Plate and Serve

Serve the chilled quinoa salad on plates or in bowls alongside toasted sourdough slices. Enjoy your Ben's BLT Chilled Quinoa Salad!