Finding the right side with a meal can be tricky especially if you want to eat healthier food. I found a recipe online some time ago for quinoa salad that I tweaked. My roommate and I can be fairly picky when it comes to select food so I had to make adjustments to the original.
This is a good option for a quick meal or side. It is tangy, salty, and quick to prepare. A great side to chicken quesadillas, and a variety of other meals. Quinoa makes for a wise rice alternative when prepared like this. A good source of protein, too!
(I am still working on my picture-taking skills so please excuse the tupperware and poor lighting.)
I don’t typically measure seasonings, as I like to fix it to taste and smell. Nonetheless, I will do my best to describe what I used.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. of ground beef
- 1 lime (or 1tbs lime juice)
- 2 cups of multi-colored quinoa
- 2/3 of a red bell pepper (diced)
- A handful of fresh cilantro (chopped, if not dried seasoning)
- 1tsp of olive oil
- Garlic powder (a small scoop of minced garlic would work too)
- Onion powder
- A dash of chili powder
- Salt
- Shredded sharp cheddar
Steps:
1. Put about 6 cups of water on stove to boil. Add olive oil and a sprinkle of salt
2. Get a second pan and cook your ground beef until brown, drain, and sprinkle with salt (pepper optional).
3. While the beef is cooking add quinoa to the boiling water from step 1 and cook for about 10 minutes.
4. Drain the water. I like to use a mesh strainer because the strainer I typically use for noodles has holes so big the quinoa would fall right through.
5. Add cilantro, red pepper, chili powder, and a dash of both garlic and onion powder.
6. Mix in juice from the lime.
7. Serve with a sprinkle of cheese on top and enjoy!
Come back once you have made this and let me know in the comments how it turned out for you!