Summer is here. The season of the salad. This fresh and easy salad will satisfy you year-round though. It makes not only a great side dish, but also a filling main dish for a cool, dog-days-of-summer meal.
There are many grains that are packed with protein, but quinoa is higher than most. Quinoa is also a complete protein. That’s what makes it a great main dish. A complete protein means that it contains all of the essential amino acids that our body needs and doesn’t manufacture for itself. Generally, we look to animal products for complete proteins because most plant-based foods don’t contain complete proteins. But this ancient grain steals the show. Plus it gets extra points for being gluten free!
Pair the quinoa with black beans (also packed with protein), veggies, fresh cilantro and tasty spices and you get one of my favorite Summer salads. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, pressed, grated or finely chopped
- Juice of one lime (about 2 T) Fresh always tastes better than bottled!
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Cracked pepper to taste
- (1) 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and well-drained
- 1 red or green bell pepper (or a mix of both), chopped in quarter inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- 1 red onion, chopped in quarter inch pieces (1/2 to 1 cup or to taste)
- 1/2 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or other chopped tomato)
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package instructions (be sure to rinse it first)
- While quinoa is cooking, whisk the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, sea salt, and pepper together in the bottom of a large bowl. Set aside.
- Rinse the black beans in a colander.
- Chop the veggies, quarter inch pieces (about the same size as the beans)
- Add the cooked quinoa, beans and veggies to the bowl and gently mix it all together with the dressing. (The quinoa can be warm, room temperature or cold when you make the dish.)
- Before serving, let the salad chill in the frig for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together. It tastes best chilled or at room temp.
Julie Smith is a certified Life Coach, Leadership Coach and Health Coach. She empowers others to create calm and clarity through work and life transitions. Together, they build confidence, create postive change, and greater well-being so they can lead themselves and the organizations and families they serve. Her clients include purpose-driven professionals, leaders and organizations. 
