Southwestern Quinoa Salad

33 Replies

I miss my CSA with Gruber Farm so much! I’m going through withdrawals. I’m seriously having a countdown until the Fall season begins on August 28th. On Tuesday, Boding and I stopped by the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market so I could restock my refrigerator. One of the greatest health tips I can give you is that having fresh fruit and vegetables on hand will discourage you from eating processed foods. You also save a ton of money by not eating out. It’s not rocket science, I promise!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Blend (or just plain quinoa)
  • 2 medium ears of fresh corn, kernels removed
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
  • juice of 1 lime
  • fresh cilantro, for topping

Preparation:

  1. Prepare grain blend or quinoa as directed on package. Let cool and place in a large bowl.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and toss gently until evenly combined. Top with fresh cilantro or sliced avocado.

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This is one of those recipes that is satisfying on so many levels.  It’s delicious, healthy, and full of flavor. It packs a bunch of fiber and protein to boot. Share with your friends – they’ll love you for it! Here’s the nutritional information that I calculated on Livestrong.image

Meals like this are the reason I’m okay with frequent visits to frozen yogurt shops because it’s all about the balance. But, as of 1 week ago, I haven’t had any desserts/candy AT ALL. At work the other day, Dane (pushups partner) and I decided we should try giving up sweets for 2 weeks. I’m happy to say that I didn’t go into cardiac arrest OR a deep depression. One week to go!

Ironically, I got 3 cavities filled yesterday. Another reason to abstain from sugar! Wells Fargo was not happy when I swiped my card for that dentist bill.

And then I bought this Sonicare toothbrush. : )

Favorite vegetable combo? I can’t get enough of fresh corn & avocado!

Do you regularly eat sweets or are they a random treat for you?

Related posts:

  1. Southwestern Quinoa Salad
  2. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
  3. Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Corn Salsa & Avocado Crema
  4. Southwest Meatballs with Black Bean and Corn Salsa
  • Liziheartvegetables

    Yummm!!! That looks so good!

  • Lisa

    Can’t wait to try this one!  Looks delicious :)

  • http://thegrassskirtblog.com/ Erin@TheGrassSkirt

    I am definitely going to make this!  I’d say that my favorite combo is avocado and tomato, but since tomatoes are technically a fruit, I’ll go with avocado and corn too. :)

  • http://onehealthymunchkin.blogspot.ca/ Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin

    I’ve made something like this before and I love it!

    One of my favourite veggie combination is kale + sweet potato. I love roasting them together or make a salad with both!

  • http://twitter.com/I_heart_kale Mia

    Current favorite veggie combo is okra and tomatoes.  My garden has been producing a ton of baby heirloom cherry tomatoes and okra, so I have been sauteing them together with minced caramelized onions and a splash of white wine.  So good!

    I usually don’t keep sweets in the house except for dark chocolate.  A square after dinner here and there is usually good enough for me.  If I want something I either go out for it or buy the ingredients, make it, and give away 95% of it.

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      i admire your self control!! :)

  • http://southerncurlsandpearls.blogspot.com/ Caitlin C

    This recipe looks DELISH. And so true about having lots of fruits and veggies in the fridge – save money and be healthier, that’s a win-win. I went without sugar for two weeks and even though it was hard, it was rewarding! I can’t deal without fro-yo, though… 

  • itzyskitchen

    omgosh I hate the dentist! bahhhh! This looks so good. That TJs mix is amazing. Its so good in soups too. Favorite vegetable combo? Oh gosh…corn and peas probably! Sweets on the regs! Usually in moderation…usually

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      I LOVE PEAS. i never remember to mix it with corn!!

  • Elizabeth Hoskins

    Yummy salad!! Enjoy your new toothbrush – I have a Sonicare and love it (and so do my teeth)!

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      my teeth already love it too!

  • http://missmagnoliamunches.blogspot.com Rebecca

    Sweets are an all or nothing deal for me.  I love them but have NO self control, so I just try to obstain.  And I can’t get enough garden tomato and avocado!  Obvious, I know, but the combo has made its way into at least 2 of my meals per day lately.

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      i am loving the fresh tomatoes right now. i will be so sad when summer is over!

  • http://www.lauralikesdesign.com Laura @ LauraLikesDesign

    I’ve never had quinoa! You’ll have to make it for me when I come visit!

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      YES! i love that idea!!

  • http://itsalittlebitofrain.blogspot.com/ Audra

    I want to lick my computer screen….. Must…resist….

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      hahah your screen won’t taste nearly as good as the quinoa!

  • Mary Krulia

    That looks delicious! My favorite veggie combo is avocado and either tomato or corn!

  • http://betterwithsprinklesblog.com/ Sam

    I’m definitely a regular sweets sort of person – chocolate of some form needs to happen almost every day. I eat healthy most of the time, so I’m learning to be ok with my massive sweet tooth.

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      i’m the exact same way!

  • http://www.southernbel.com/ Annabel J.

    I am all about summer squash and spinach these days. I like to sauté them in a bit of olive oil and finish the sauté with a bit of ricotta cheese. 

    After my juice cleanse I really do not crave sweets anymore. The juicing experiment forced me to stock my fridge with fruits and vegetables. You’re so right; once you develop a habit of reaching for cherries or cucumbers it’s easier to pass up brownies and burgers.

  • http://www.theniemeyernest.blogspot.com/ Jennifer Niemeyer

    That salad looks divine! I will be making that soon. My mouth is full of cavities. Pregnancy does a number on teeth!

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      hahaha i’m glad you can admit to all your cavities too. was it worth it? it was for me, hahah!

  • http://twitter.com/Theaprilblake April Blake

    Must. Acquire. Avocado. Sweets to finish off a meal make it feel complete, and its such a hard habit to break. My favorite veggie combo lately is onion and squash, sauteed together with some herbs then topped with cheese! Mmm!

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      YUM! i do the exact same thing with my zucchini and squash. :)

  • http://profiles.google.com/megmouch Meg Henning

    i need to try quinoa i still haven’t yet. thanks for this salad recipe

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      try it! it’s a great grain. :)

  • http://thisitalianfamily.wordpress.com/ Rach

    That looks super delicious! 

  • http://twitter.com/KayeJoh Kaye Johnson

    i love the way that sonicare vibrates in my mouth…

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      you’re such a perv. reason #1582598725 i adore you

  • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

    Mmm…corn and avocado is one of my favorite veggie combinations too. Toss in some queso fresco (or feta) and a touch of chili powder, and it’s killer delicious. I also love baked eggplant + tomatoes +garlic, and spinach + red onion + goat cheese + raspberries. (<—not technically a veggie combo, but it's SO damn good).

    I eat chocolate every day without fail. I go through withdrawals if I don't have access to any. Congrats on going a week without fro-yo! I did that a couple weeks ago and was actually surprised by how easy it was. Once I pushed through the initial cravings, they never returned! The more you eat it, the more you crave it. ;)

  • http://twitter.com/Theaprilblake April Blake

    Just made this and am eating it now- YUM!! I forgot to put the avocado in though, trying to decide if its worth cutting up a section of it for just one bowl’s worth. Either way, this is in the meal rotation!

  • Pat Sibley

    Is there anyway to print the recipe with out printing the comments?