Need to tell you about the nearly no-cook supper I made for dinner that I am currently going NUTS for – Black Bean, Quinoa & Citrus Salad!
I saw this recipe on Eat, Live, Run last week and have been this excited to make it ever since. It combines some of my favorite, fresh flavors like avocado, citrus & sweet corn into a salad that is exploding with flavor. Plus there’s only one small cooking component, which makes it ideal for making on stupid-hot days like today
I started by combining the salad ingredients into a large bowl. Chopped red onion,
grapefruit,
(I cut off the peel of the grapefruit with a knife, then slice and dice the flesh. Very easy & quick, plus I just hate peeling citrus fruit!)
black beans,
dried cranberries,
corn on off the cob,
(which is so sweet & tender that you can just eat it raw!)
diced avocado,
and chopped cilantro.
Look at those lay-ahs of flav-ahs!
Next I added the quinoa. Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wa”) is a complete protein that looks very tiny and innocent, but after simmering in a little water and salt, it “boings” out into a puffy spiral.
See?
You can find quinoa at most grocery stores, but if you don’t like it, or can’t find it for some reason, you could make this salad with couscous, Israeli couscous (that would be bomb) or even brown rice.
Finally I drizzled a zippy, homemade Lime Vinaigrette over top,
tossed everything together, and DOVE IN.
I mean, I just don’t even know where to begin!
The first flavor to jump out at me was the super-sweet corn. Then I noticed the chewy dried cranberries, creamy beans, tart grapefruit and mellow avocado.
Flavor & textures gone wild!
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Black Bean, Quinoa & Citrus Salad
Description
Black Bean, Quinoa & Citrus Salad combines fresh flavors like avocado, citrus and sweet corn in a salad that's exploding with flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry quinoa
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons water
- 1/4 small red onion, minced
- 1 grapefruit, peeled & diced
- 1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 ears of corn, kernels cut off cob
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- Lime Vinaigrette:
- 1-1/2 limes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. Add to a small saucepan with the water, then bring to a boil. Put a lid on the pan, turn the heat down to medium-low, then simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water. Remove from heat, let sit for 5 minutes, then remove the lid and fluff quinoa with a fork.
- Combine red onion, grapefruit, black beans, cranberries, corn, avocado, cilantro and cooked quinoa into a large bowl. Toss with lime vinaigrette, sprinkle with additional salt & pepper to taste, then serve.
- For Lime Vinaigrette: juice 1 1/2 limes into a small bowl, then whisk in extra virgin olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste.
Notes
Slightly adapted from Eat, Live, Run
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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If you could be on a reality show, what one would it be?
I want to be on the Amazing Race. I can’t watch it because I get too jealous! ;) It is also horrifying to know that I am officially too old to be on the Real World. I always thought that would be cool. Maybe in another life!
Cristal 06.06.2011
Hi Kristin! I have been reading your blog for quite a while now. And love it BTW! I was just wondering why you don’t blog about your bfast and lunch anymore?
Iowa Girl Eats 06.07.2011
I switched jobs back in October and start work at 6:30am. Unfortunately that doesn’t leave much time for blogging in the morning!
girliefriend 06.06.2011
oh.my.yum! Quinoa is the perfect food. I like to keep it cooked up and in the fridge so I always have a quick dish, sweet, savory, breakfast, lunch or dinner. It works all the way around. Love Eloise!
jad18 06.06.2011
Oh and I meant to post that I finally saw bridesmaids this weekend based on your review. Loved it!
Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa 06.06.2011
My husband just picked up a used road bike at our auction last weekend. He is pumped to upgrade a few things and hit the road!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) 06.06.2011
I totally just made this salad on Friday, and it was amazing!!
jad18 06.06.2011
Looks great…we had a blueberry/strawberry/chicken salad tonight. I am not really into this season of The Bachelorette either. It is really boring. I would love to be on the Amazing Race b/c I would love to travel all those places.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn 06.06.2011
Yummmmm this is perfect! We have tons of cooked corn in our fridge and ALWAYS have quinoa. Why have I never used grapefruit in a salad?!
Caryle 06.06.2011
I’m going to echo the where in the store question. Is it in the bulk grains section at Hy-Vee?? That looks really good. :)
Kristin from MN 06.06.2011
Survivor! I wanna be on it SOOOO BAAAD! :)
Stephanie 06.06.2011
Oooo girl I have this quinoa salad on my “to make” list too, it looks so amazing for summer!! All those flavors mmm mmmm, genius. I hate ironing too, don’t feel bad ;)
Kelly 06.06.2011
What aisle in quinoa in? I have never been able to find it and not prepared to go to Whole Foods..that place scares me!! :)
Iowa Girl Eats 06.06.2011
It should be near couscous, rice or pasta. If you still can’t find it, I’d just ask an employee or something! :)
Kelly 06.06.2011
Thank you!!! :)
Mellissa 06.06.2011
I think that is a great deal on a bike, I have been checking Craig’s List and have not had much luck. Hopefully soon!
I always wanted to be on The Next Food Network Star and The Amazing Race. I wonder if there could be a cooking and travel themed one.
Hailey 06.06.2011
Totally jealous of your bike. Looks great with the upgrades!
Melissa 06.06.2011
My God, my dinner looks like nothin’ next to that salad!!!
Totally digging the Bachelorette, but I’m not really a fan of Ashley’s, either. What is it? Maybe she just doesn’t seem genuine? I don’t know. I agree that everyone on there right now seems pretty boring, though. I mean, if even *I’m* bored on their dates, how could they possibly be having any fun?
Blog is the New Black 06.06.2011
I so want a bike, now!!!! I have wanted one for awhile but i’m jelly of your steal! And I wanted to make that quinoa salad as soon as I saw it, too. YUM!
Shannon 06.06.2011
That salad looks great. I love your revamped bike btw. I wish I lived in an area that was a bit more bike friendly. There are lots of hills and mega-busy roads in my city.
Lauren @ Sugar Coated Sisters 06.06.2011
WOW! That salad looks amazing. I’ve never cooked quinoa before and I really want to try it. I bet the grapefruit added such a nice flavor…
As for reality TV shows I’d pick Cupcake Wars (and proceed to hypervenilate when they ask you to make 1000 cupcakes in 2 hours) and/or Road Rules (sort of like Amazing Race except you get to hang out with more than one person? – minus all the drama though!)
Amanda (Eating Up) 06.06.2011
The chocolate plug is the best! I’m obsessed. Maybe add your own nuts?
Lauren 06.06.2011
Ah, so ironic, I made almost the same dinner tonight. I made a Quinoa salad too but mine was a Vegetable Bruschetta Salad. I’ve been seeing so many quinoa meals lately and apparently everyone else has the same idea. :) This will have to be my next one.
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign 06.06.2011
Oh my goodness, sundae cones bring back so many memories of being a kid! My sister would always bite the bottom tip before she was done and it resulted in her cone melting all over her fingers…every.single.time. Oh to be 5 again….
P.S. I think your bike upgrades are stellar!