Quinoa Salad
SKU:
A salad you can make in about thirty minutes, with the only prep being cutting the cucumber.
If you have a rice cooker, a knife and a can opener, quinoa salad is a done deal.
If you have a rice cooker, a knife and a can opener, quinoa salad is a done deal.
Ingredients
2 (rice cooker) cups quinoa (not the colorful kind)
Chicken broth (optional, but preferred) 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped 1 can of black beans (15.5 ounces) 1 can of corn (8.5 or 15 ounces, your choice) Dried cranberries (quantity to your taste) Pine nuts, toasted (quantity to your taste), or pistachios or cashews |
Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Optional Mix-ins Cooked chicken Cubed avocado |
What To Do
Cook the quinoa in a rice pot as you would rice. Measure using the rice cooker cup (not the 'standard' measuring cup), and if possible, use chicken broth instead of water.
While the quinoa cooks in the rice cooker, peel, seed and chop cucumber.
Rinse and drain black beans. Rinse and drain corn. In a large salad bowl, mix black beans, corn, cucumber and cranberries in the proportions that you like.
When the quinoa is done, add to the black beans, corn, cranberries and cucumber. Mix thoroughly. Add dressing to taste, but go slowly so that the bottom doesn’t get soggy. Add toasted pine nuts at the last minute.
Add optional mix-ins if you like. Eat warm or cold.
While the quinoa cooks in the rice cooker, peel, seed and chop cucumber.
Rinse and drain black beans. Rinse and drain corn. In a large salad bowl, mix black beans, corn, cucumber and cranberries in the proportions that you like.
When the quinoa is done, add to the black beans, corn, cranberries and cucumber. Mix thoroughly. Add dressing to taste, but go slowly so that the bottom doesn’t get soggy. Add toasted pine nuts at the last minute.
Add optional mix-ins if you like. Eat warm or cold.
Notes and Talking Story
- A good recipe gets shared and evolves.
- My cousin’s wife got this recipe from a potluck at her son’s school. She shared it with me. I’ve made it for a few potlucks, and shared to even more friends and relations.
- My friend Elaine reminded me to specify the 'normal' colored quinoa because the red quinoa doesn't give you enough visual contrast with the black beans and cucumbers.
- Another friend added cooked chicken to make it a meal salad
- And on it goes!