Mexican Quinoa
Today, a friend I’ve known for years, Mary Jolley, is guest posting and will be sharing a new recipe with us all.
It’s bathing suit season and heaven knows we all could be eating better so today I’m giving away 2 copies of her book below that have great recipes that are good for you! To enter leave a comment before tomorrow at noon June 29th, EST.
Thank you, Christy, for inviting me to contribute to you beautiful website, you do such a great job with the recipes. I am grateful for the chance to share one of my recipes with you.
I eat and advocate a whole foods plant based diet. I do my best to eliminate meat, dairy and sugar and instead focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. While I was researching The Green Diet, I grew passionate about sharing healthy eating habits with others. I love to help people take their next step toward eating Greener, whether that is Meatless Monday or cutting out candy. The summer is a great time to enjoy fresh produce, as many delicious varieties are in season. This Mexican Quinoa Salad is great to make for a picnic or outdoor party because it will hold up well in the heat.
Mexican Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, washed and drained (I used 1/2 cup red quinoa and 1/2 cup white quinoa)
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 2 fresh limes, (3 if they are small)
- 3/4 tsp cumin
- pinch of red pepper flakes, (optional)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters
- 5 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado, chopped (not shown in the picture)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa and add to a saucepan with the water, cover, bring to boil and reduce to simmer - cook until all water is absorbed. 10-15 min. Turn off the heat and leave it alone for 10-15 minutes. Remove lid, fluff with a fork and pour into a large bowl. Add black beans, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and avocado.
- Separately, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, cumin and red pepper flakes. Add salt and pepper.
- Toss dressing with quinoa mixture. Season with salt and pepper
- This salad can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Serves 2-4.
- *Quinoa can be found at your local grocery store by the rice or by the oatmeal/grains.
Your recipes are making my mouth water. I have forwarded a few to my sister-in-law. She is a real onion lover so of course the onion bread recipe was one of them. Thank you for sharing your great recipes with us. I would love to win the book; I guess that goes without saying.
Now, which one to make tonight?
Thank you,
Most ingredients in cooking are derived from living organisms. Vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts as well as herbs and spices come from plants, while meat, eggs, and dairy products come from animals. Mushrooms and the yeast used in baking are kinds of fungi. Cooks also use water and minerals such as salt. Cooks can also use wine or spirits. Thanks for sharing.
Tried it tonight – yummy! I added mushroom and green pepper too.
Okay so I’m not sure what that recipe was, I never heard of quinoa in my life but from experience I’m positive it is delicious!I have been obsessed with your blog since I was turned on to it about 3 weeks ago.I have prepared 7 of your recipes and all 7 have turned out fantastic, this coming from girl who will try to cook/bake anything but can’t follow recipe for squat.Your recipes however, I am 7 outta 7, it is so awesome, they are as easy as you say, and taste as good as they look.I am impressed.
Darn it! I just missed the giveaway. I’ll look into that book next time I’m hanging at B&N.
Wonderful recipe. Quinoa is the super grain that would be great in a lot of July 4th picnic recipes.
I was actually going to buy her book one of these days!! Winning it would be even better!! Love ya girl!
That sounds yummy squared! Please count me in!
I would love to win! Great post.
Just found your blog and I’m so glad! I love quinoa so will be trying this recipe. Would really enjoy this cookbook too ~ thanks for the opportunity to win!
Keeping my fingers crossed ~
Pat
This recipe looks fantastic. I think we will try it out this weekend. I have been slowly looking at my family’s eating habits and there is definitely room for improvement – too much red meat. And the meatless Monday’s is an excellent start. My kids are still young enough that healthier eating habits should catch on pretty quickly. Now it is just transitioning my husband and myself. Wish us luck!
That sounds great! Perfect for these hot humid evenings. Thanks!
Ooh, I have quinoa in the freezer. I’m definately trying this recipe.
I love quinoa and would love to have a copy of the book!
Thanks! I’d love to try some healthier recipes.
Wow! Stumbled on your blog via a betty crocker email I rec’d this morning – I’ve added you to my favorites and can’t wait to check back for cool new food ideas!! Would LOVE to win a cookbook too 🙂
I also just found your blog through a Betty Crocker website. I also have been trying to incorporate more fresh fruit and vegetable recipes into our diet. I actually have been diagnosed with a medical condition where I still develop gallstones and have no gall bladder and the acids in my stomach that break down food are naturally very thick. My Dr. said there are meds I can take but he said by eating primarily fruits, veggies , and whole grains this could eleviate a lot of symptoms. I teach cooking on a budget classes, and am the catering manager for a local agency, but until recently haven’t focused on a more whole foods way of eating. I would love a copy of your book and am definitely a new fan of both blogs.
I see quinoa everywhere, read about it, am told to try it. Now I finally know what to do with it! I would love to incorporate more whole, natural foods into my family’s meals, this book would help me do just that! Thanks for the opportunity. Lisa ([email protected])
The quinoa salad looks great. Thanks for sharing. I agree with you. I am always trying to find ways to make healthy food more fun for my husband.
Hello – just found your blog and you are doing a great job! As a struggling writer and healthy home cook, I need all the help I can get. I found you through the Betty Crocker site, by the way. Thanks!
I too was on the Betty Crocker e-mail printing desert recipes, and then found this wonderful food blog! I love the salad recipe, and do try to eat “green” from our local farmers market. I do not have difficulty going meatless, my problems generally come from the sugar, and candy consumption. I need to look into this further for inspiration!
I’ve been trying to revamp my diet and would love to have this book! The recipe sounds wonderful. I love quinoa and avocado.
Wow Christy, I just saw you & your cupcakes on Betty Crocker’s homepage…Congratulations!!!
This looks really interesting, and I’d love to learn more. I’ve been trying to go more meatless lately, and I definitely need some help! (And just reading through her blog is making me re-think my candy consumption!)
I have really been wanting to eat vegetarian more often and it sounds like this cookbook would be a good way to help me do that!
Yum! We’ve been looking for quinoa recipes!
Quinoa is one of my most favorite things to eat!!!!! Yum
Looks delish! I love light recipes for the summer because nothing “heavy” ever sounds good. The cookbook sounds right up my alley! 🙂
I would love to have a healthy cookbook. It’s proof that while butter does make things taste good, it’s not required to have a delicious meal.
This looks great! I just graduated college, and now that I’m living on my own I’m always looking for creative recipes. Thanks!
I love quinoa! This recipe sounds delish!! Thanks!
I have been looking for good recipes that focus on whole grains and fresh produce. So I really appreciate this post and the oppurtunity to get my hands on that recipe book of Mary’s! Thank you both for sharing your recipes!
Thanks!
Alicia ([email protected])
I have never had quinoa but this looks delish! Would love to try out more recipes from the book!
Mmm I love quinoa! This sounds like a great dish
Looks wonderful, I really need to change the eating at my household!
I love quinoa! and I’d love to have this book! Thanks 🙂
I’ve always wanted to try Quinoa. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have quinoa in the pantry and didn’t know what to do with it. Thanks. Sounds great. Janet
Sounds yummy! This cookbook would be perfect to help me shed those last 15 pregnancy pounds that have been sitting nicely on my thighs and butt for the last year. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, sounds delicious! I would love to see what else is in the Green Diet.
What a great post! I’d love to try out her new cookbook, as I’m sure I’d find a ton of new recipes to try!
I’m definitely borrowing this recipe….i love new recipes that involve quinoa as it’s a household favorite around here!!