I have been told that Jennifer Aniston ate this salad everyday for a year - and I can see why because it's so good! Of course I made some adjustments to the recipe (as I always do!) so here's my version...
1 cup quinoa (can also use bulgur wheat or couscous)
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (or more!)
salt & pepper to taste
3 mini cucumbers diced
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (trust me on this!)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped red onion (can also use green onion but I like the crunch and stronger flavor of the red onion in this recipe)
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1 can (or more) chickpeas rinsed and drained
Juice of 1 lemon (can also use red wine vinegar)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled feta
salt & pepper to taste
Cook the quinoa to package directions. Once cooked add garlic and salt & pepper to taste and fluff with a fork. Adding garlic now infuses the flavor into the cooked quinoa. Let cool.
Prepare all other ingredients and toss in a large bowl with the the cooled quinoa. Add feta and more salt & pepper to taste. Store in fridge. Yum!