Healthy Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: crumbled feta cheese, avocado slices, toasted nuts or seeds (such as almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Quinoa:
   - Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness.
   - In a saucepan, combine the quinoa and water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool.

2. Prepare the Dressing:
   - In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Salad:
   - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and cilantro.
   - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.

4. Adjust Seasoning:
   - Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice.

5. Serve:
   - Transfer the quinoa salad to a serving dish.
   - If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, add avocado slices, or sprinkle with toasted nuts or seeds on top for extra flavor and texture.

6. Enjoy:
   - Serve the quinoa salad immediately as a side dish or a light meal. It can also be chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

This healthy quinoa salad is not only delicious but also packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to any meal!