Name: Southwestern Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked quinoa, well rinsed -; 1/2 teaspoon salt -; 2 cups water -; 1/3 cup diced red onion -; 2 tbsp lime juice -; 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed -; 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted, OR 1 cup of fresh corn, parboiled, drained and cooled (approximately the amount of kernels from one ear of corn) -; 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and cut into chunks -; 5 ounces Queso fresco, Queso Panela, fresh Mozzarella or other mild farmer's cheese, cut into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch cubes -; 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped -; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, including tender stems, packed -; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil -

Ingredients for - Southwestern Quinoa Salad

1. 1 cup uncooked quinoa, well rinsed

2. 1/2 teaspoon salt

3. 2 cups water

4. 1/3 cup diced red onion

5. 2 tbsp lime juice

6. 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

7. 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted, OR 1 cup of fresh corn, parboiled, drained and cooled (approximately the amount of kernels from one ear of corn)

8. 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and cut into chunks

9. 5 ounces Queso fresco, Queso Panela, fresh Mozzarella or other mild farmer's cheese, cut into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch cubes

10. 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

11. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, including tender stems, packed

12. 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

How to cook deliciously - Southwestern Quinoa Salad

1 . Stage

Cook the quinoa: Put the rinsed quinoa, salt and water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer gently until the quinoa absorbs all the water, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Place into a large bowl and fluff up with a fork to help it cool more quickly.

2 . Stage

Soak onions in lime juice: While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad. Soak the red onions in the lime juice and set aside. Soaking the onions in lime juice (or lemon juice or water) helps take the edge off of them.

3 . Stage

Mix the prepped black beans, corn kernels, tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños, cilantro, and oil: into a large bowl.

4 . Stage

Add quinoa and onions to bean mixture: When the quinoa has cooled, mix it into the bean mixture. Add the red onion and the lime juice and add salt, more oil or lime juice to taste. Serve at room temperature.