Many of us have embarked on a journey to improve our health. But learning new habits and skills takes time. One important aspect of our health is the foods that we consume. At times, changing up the foods we eat multiple times per day can seem like a daunting task. I promise you that it is achievable, rewarding, and will repay you in so many ways.
Change takes time, give yourself grace to learn and experiment. Some foods you try you will really enjoy. Other recipes will be learning experiences. It is important to have a repertoire of recipes that you can fall back on and know that are tasty, healthy, and satisfying. One of those recipes for me is Quinoa Salad and I’d like to share it with you!
QUINOA SALAD
1 cup quinoa, cook as directed and let cool (For white quinoa, I cook one cup water to one cup quinoa)
1/4 of red onion, finely chopped (If red onion isn’t available, can replace it with 2 sprigs of green onion)
1 big clove of garlic, chopped finely
1/4 -1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped or grated, peeled ginger
3/4 cup cooked, shelled edamame – fresh green soy beans (As an alternate, you may use black beans or garbanzo beans)
1/2 of medium size red bell pepper, seeded and chopped (Alternate: yellow or orange bell pepper)
Some add cucumber – cucumber produces water and I tend to avoid cucumber in my quinoa salad for that reason
1/2 to 1 cup loosely chopped fresh cilantro
2 – 3 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh lemon juice from 1 to 1 1/2 of medium sized lemon
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
Once the quinoa is cooled, mix all the above ingredients into quinoa except the almonds and chopped cilantro. Mix well. Some desire to have more curry or cumin flavor and feel free to add more. I tend to make it the night before for the flavor to absorb into the quinoa. Keep it in the refrigerator. Just before serving, mix the quinoa well and add toasted slivered almonds and chopped cilantro.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Yin Schaff, Health Ministries Coordinator