Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Quinoa


Ready
to
make
Quinoa
Black
Bean
Salad











Perhaps I'm a bit out of touch, but I had never heard of quinoa (KEEN-wah) until two months ago. My friend Betty was visiting from Miami and telling me about her trip to Peru, where she was introduced to it. Then, a week or so ago, I saw it mentioned at ALL THE BEST BLOG. Finally, this morning, it was mentioned once again, this time on the TODAY SHOW. Well, third time is a charm! It's time for me to share with you!

Betty had sent me a recipe which I had already tried by the time I heard the other two references to it. Although it looks like a grain, it's really a relative of leafy green vegetables. Quinoa is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. You probably cannot find a healthier food. Or, a tastier one, if you use Betty's recipe for...

QUINOA BLACK BEAN SALAD
1 cup uncooked quinoa (red or white or combo)
2 T. grated lime zest
2 T. fresh lime juice
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t. sea salt (I used Kosher, because that's what I had)
1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
1 14-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 small tomatoes, diced
4 scallions, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
Cook quinoa according to directions on package. Allow to cool.
Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, sea salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
Combine all ingredients and toss well. Add salt and pepper if desired.
Serve warm or enjoy as a cold salad.
This dish keeps quite well. It makes an excellent main course or a nice side dish. We had it warm the first evening I made it. Leftovers were just as tasty a couple of days later.
You'll find another quinoa recipe at the above link for All the Best Blog. I haven't yet tried it, but it sounds quite good, with feta cheese, thyme and Kalamata olives.
Thank you Betty!

4 comments:

Shirley said...

You have just told me about something new. It looks and sounds like it would be good. I need to check it out a little further with one in the family that is a diebetic. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

I just happened upon your great blog. Love all the super photos. I'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I've never tried it, but it looks good. Your finished salad looks like tabbouleh!

From the Kitchen said...

Hello! I just met you at Tomatoes on the Vine. I was intrigued by your "name" and decided to stop by. I'm so glad that I did. I've been using quinoa for some time now and am so happy to have your salad recipe. I look forward to spending more time exploring your blog.

Best,
Bonnie

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...