Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, begin by finely grating the garlic clove. Add the zest of one lemon, followed by its juice, and then drizzle in the olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper, stirring the ingredients until fully combined.
Assemble the Salad: To the bowl, add the cooked quinoa, diced cucumbers, bell pepper, parsley, and olives. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings—adding more salt, pepper, olive oil, or lemon juice as needed to achieve your desired flavor balance.
Tip:
For the quickest and most efficient way to chop parsley, fold a small bunch in half so the leaves are under the stems. Use your non-dominant hand to hold the bunch, and slice the leaves and stems together. The stems add crunch and concentrated flavor, so don’t discard them—they’re a key component in the salad.