by Shirlon Ortiz

I have been going to Cafe Europa for quite a while. Pre-quarantine, if you can remember that far, it was the spot my friends and I would go to catch up and eat some delicious food. Their green salad is my favorite. Enjoy it with a piece of crusty bread for a light lunch or with the protein of your choice for a healthy dinner. It’s versatile, and if there’s an ingredient in there you aren’t crazy about you can always modify it! It’s a great way to get your greens and it holds well for a couple of days. It’s such a bright, fresh meal and will have you thinking that you’re enjoying a nice lunch on a sunny terrace somewhere… Just don’t look at the temperature on your phone!

Café Europa Green Salad

1 cup cooked quinoa
3 cups steamed broccoli
1 cup steamed edamame (out of the shell)
1 whole English cucumber, chopped
½ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 avocado, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Chop and steam the broccoli. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper until combined. Place all ingredients in a large bowl, top with dressing, and stir.