Mediterranean Bowl with Quinoa, Hummus, and Harissa
This protein-packed quinoa bowl is your answer to healthy, satisfying lunches you'll look forward to all week! You can get fancy with homemade hummus and harissa, or keep things easy with your favorite store bought goodies. You just have to throw together a 5-minute Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad while the quinoa boils and it’s ready to go! Or prep everything ahead and keep in separate jars so you just have to assemble–it's delicious right out of the fridge.
Cook the quinoa. In a large saucepan, combine the quinoa with 1 3/4 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has doubled in size and absorbed the water. Turn the heat off and let the quinoa sit, covered, for another 10 minutes while you work on other things. Fluff with a fork before using.
Assemble the Mediterranean bowls. Using 6 shallow dinner bowls, begin dividing the hummus in the middle (about 2 large spoonfuls per bowl). Divide the quinoa and the salad on either side of the hummus. Fill the gaps with the feta cheese, olives, a spoonful of harissa (if using), and marinated artichoke hearts.
Finish and serve. Drizzle a little olive oil over the hummus and wherever else you like. And if you like, sprinkle on Aleppo pepper and/or sumac to season. Enjoy immediately.
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Notes
Getting ahead: For meal prep, the elements of the bowl can be made ahead and simply assembled in glass containers. It’s best to keep the salad in a separate container unseasoned, then toss it in just before you eat.
Here are my go-to swaps and substitutions (and please let us know if you have any favorite swaps in the comments!):
Quinoa: Substitute with other whole grains, like farro, lentils, barley, or freekeh.
Feta: Substitute with marinated feta for added richness, goat cheese, haloumi (you can even fry it for a nice savory crunch), or cotija.
Olives: Or substitute with capers, pepperoncini peppers, cornichons, pickled onions, turnips, cucumber, giardiniera, or other pickles you like–anything bright and briney for balance.
Marinated artichokes: Substitute with other marinated antipasto, like roasted peppers or marinated mushrooms.
Aleppo pepper: Substitute with any red chili flakes you have, like crushed red pepper or Urfa biber.
Sumac: Swap with lemon or lime zest.
Harissa: Substitute with your favorite hot sauce or swap with chermoula for a more herbaceous take.