Tag: quinoa

Quinoa, Recipes, Sides

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Sarah

So, after a week spent snuggling up in sweatshirts and blankets, drinking tea as I got back into the spirit of the school year [do I hear a sarcastic *yay* for reading journal articles?], the temperature is back in the 80s and the skies are sunny. Guess summer wants to hang on a bit longer here.

After a visit to our local Farmer’s Market last weekend, I whipped up this quick, refreshing, and healthy lunch salad to enjoy all week long.

Every bite of Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad provides a thorough mix of a variety of the season’s most abundant vegetables with a mix of yellow summer squash, tomatoes, sweet pepper, and corn–all made sweeter [if that is even possible?!?!] by my latest favorite way to prepare vegetables: oven roasting. Roasting vegetables just adds another depth of flavor and texture that I’ve fallen in love with this summer. Mix in my favorite vegetarian protein, black beans, and a chewy, filling grain like quinoa and you have yourself a tasty and satisfying salad–perfect to eat at home or on the go. Any grain [rice, barley, couscous, etc.] would work in a pinch so just use whatever you have handy. I also think some cilantro thrown in would be just lovely, but I didn’t have any around so that was a no-go for me.

As much as I cannot wait to wear boots, eat my weight in apples, and take long walks with Ben while sipping a Pumpkin Spice latte, I’m content to enjoy summer’s bounty for a little while longer if it means more lunches like this Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad. I just can’t get enough!

Reader Question ~ What part of summer do you want to hang onto just a little while longer?

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
printable version

Ingredients:

  • 2 small yellow summer squash, thinly sliced
  • 6 small roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 small sweet pepper, chopped [I used Carmen]
  • 1 ear sweet corn, kernels cut off
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • small handful fresh basil, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place squash, tomatoes, corn, and peppers in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until vegetables become slightly blackened, flipping every 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare quinoa. First, rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer [to remove bitter hull]. Next, place in a 4 quart saucepan with 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes or until grains have turned transparent and spiral-like germ has separated.

When quinoa and vegetables are ready, gently combine in a large bowl. Fold in black beans, red chili flakes, and basil. Serve immediately or chill for a cold lunch salad.

Yield: 4 cups.

Time: 40 minutes.

Black Bean + Corn Quinoa Salad | The Pajama Chef
Main Dishes, Quinoa, Recipes, Sides

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa Salad

Sarah

Over the past year or so that I’ve been reading food blogs, I’ve heard a lot about the wonders of quinoa. Not only is it flavorful and a bit nutty, with a slight crunch, it’s high in protein [a complete protein at that, which is good for a vegetarian/vegan diet] and very filling. It’s an ancient grain, called “the gold of the Incas.” A few months ago during one of my out-of-town Trader Joe’s runs, some quinoa came home with me… and this is the delicious result. I whipped up this salad as one of my recent lunch specials and let me tell you that this sure made my lunches special that week. 🙂 I loved the hint of Mexican flavors that the lime, chili, and cilantro lended to the mix of black beans, corn, and quinoa. And served over baby greens… why it’s just a beautiful dish too. Doesn’t that make lunch time even better? In my book, it does!

Black Bean + Corn Quinoa Salad | The Pajama Chef

P.S. So, Ben and I joined a CSA for this summer. If you’re not familiar with CSAs, they’re a way to purchase vegetables on a subscription basis directly from farmers. More information can be found here, and you can use the site to find local CSAs. I just got an email from our farm and I am so excited about the list of delicious veggies, herbs, and fruits coming my way in just a few short months. Everything from tomatoes to basil to peppers… to new-to-me things like nasturtiums to okra to salsola and more. I’m so over winter… spring and summer? New veggies? New recipes? Yes please!

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa Salad

a The Pajama Chef original

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup red quinoa
  • 2 cups + 1/4 cup chicken broth, divided
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped and packed
  • zest and juice of 1/2 a lime

Directions:

Prepare quinoa according to package directions, using 2 cups chicken broth instead of water. [I rinse the quinoa (in a coffee filter because I don’t have a fine mesh strainer…), bring to a boil, and then simmer for about 12-15 minutes.] Set aside. In a large bowl, add beans, corn, chili flakes, cilantro, and lime zest. Stir together, then fold in quinoa. Add lime juice, and depending on desired consistency, add up to 1/4 cup chicken broth for additional “dressing.” Serve hot or cold.

Question of the Day: What are some pretty foods you’re enjoying lately? Ever joined a CSA?