Red Quinoa & Black Bean Salad

I may be missing the comfort of soup, but I am excited to welcome lots of salads to the menu this time of year.  I bought some Nature's Earthly Choice Red Quinoa at Meijer and found this recipe on the package.... and its a winner! If you've never cooked quinoa, its easy. Easier than rice. The taste is very mild, and the texture is a little chewy. This recipe tastes wonderful warm, or right out of the fridge the next day for lunch.  I also plan on making this for the next party or pot luck. 

Red Quinoa & Black Bean Salad

Salad:
1 cup uncooked Red Quinoa (Nature's Earthly Choice)
1 (14 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 small avocado, chopped

Dressing:
4-5 tbsp fresh lime juice (juice from 2 small limes)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. ground cumin, or more to taste

Directions:

Add 1 cup of red quinoa to 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and cook until tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. While the quinoa is cooking, chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing. Mix the dressing ingredients using an immersion blender, or by hand.  Allow quinoa to cool for about 5 minutes after cooking, then fluff with a fork.  Add the beans and vegetable and toss well.  Drizzle the dressing over the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Notes:

• This calls for a lot of cilantro, reduce to your taste if necessary. 
• It also calls for a lot of lime juice.  Depending on how much you like lime, you might want to start with 3 tbsp. and check flavor before adding 1-2 tbsp. more 
  

UPDATE:

If you are a meat/fish eater, add 8 oz. of HOT smoked salmon and WOW - this becomes a super-protein packed healthy lunch! Hot smoked salmon has a similar texture to cooked salmon, as opposed to cold smoked salmon which is cured, not cooked. I bought this 4 oz. package at Meijer at the meat counter for about $6.