Recipe: Quinoa Black Bean Salad

from the Savvy Vegetarian

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups cold water
  • 2 cups (1 can) cooked black beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse well
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced, OR 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 carrot, peeled, halfed lengthwise, sliced thin diagonally
  • 1 cup chopped fresh yellow or green beans
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup green pepper, diced
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 medium ripe tomato
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions
  • Dressing:
  • 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fresh ground pepper

Directions

  1. The quinoa can be made ahead of time and refrigerated
  2. Rinse quinoa and drain through a large fine mesh strainer
  3. Place in a 2 qt pot with 1 1/2 c. water and 1/2 tsp salt
  4. Bring to a full boil, cover tightly, turn down to low, and cook for 15 minutes
  5. Remove from heat and allow to sit 5 minutes covered
  6. Fluff quinoa gently with a fork and set aside to cool
  7. If using canned beans, drain, rinse and set aside to drain
  8. Sauté jalapeno, fresh garlic, in 1 tsp olive oil until garlic is slightly browned
  9. Add the celery, carrot, green beans, green & red peppers and sauté 5 minutes
  10. Add the cumin and coriander, cook and stir 2 minutes
  11. Blend dressing ingredients with a whisk or shake in a jar
  12. Add quinoa, black beans, sautéed veggies, tomatoes, cucumber, fresh minced cilantro or basil, scallions, to a large bowl
  13. Pour on dressing and stir gently to combine. Adjust salt and pepper to taste
  14. Serve quinoa salad warm, or cover and chill

Cooking Tips:

Quinoa black bean salad keeps well for a couple of days tightly covered in the fridge, and is an excellent take along meal. Serve warm or chilled.

Quinoa black bean salad is a great complete protein meal in a bowl. 

Quinoa is a complete protein, gluten free, loaded with vitamins and minerals, with a nutty flavor and texture. 

 

Posted: to Recipes on Tue, Aug 28, 2012
Updated: Tue, Aug 28, 2012

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