Creating Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad is simple when you follow these steps:

1. Rinse Quinoa: Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for about 2 minutes. This helps remove any bitterness.
2. Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the water is absorbed.
3. Cool Quinoa: Once cooked, remove the pot from heat. Let the quinoa cool for about 10 minutes. Use a fork to fluff it up.
4. Prepare Vegetables: While the quinoa cools, dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the parsley and mint.
5. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
6. Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced vegetables, chopped herbs, and feta cheese (if using).
7. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning or lemon juice as needed to fit your flavor preference.
9. Chill and Serve: For best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

This straightforward approach guarantees a delightful Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad that everyone will love!