Quinoa and Black-eyed Pea Salad

The other day I realized that I still had not gone grocery shopping.  (So hard to do when there are things in the fridge, freezer and pantry.)  I looked at several recipes and I was missing at least one essential ingredient for each one.  What did I do?  I winged it, and dinner turned out pretty well - Mr. Blue had seconds and the kids ate their servings with a promise of crackers if they would finish it.  I'm sure that someday they will appreciate the wacky foods I make them eat.  Someday.....Until then, here's the recipe for your enjoyment.

Quinoa and Black-eyed Pea Salad
{printable recipe}

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 15 ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, diced
1 mango, diced
1/4 -1/2 cup everyday dressing (could use olive oil and lemon juice instead)

Rinse quinoa then combine with 1/2 cup water in saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.  Turn the heat off.  Keep the pan covered and on the burner.  Let sit for 4-7 minutes, or until water has been absorbed.

In bowl combine cooked quinoa, black-eyed peas, avocado, and mango.  Add dressing.  Stir till combined. Serve with salad.

apple salad

Yum.  That's all I have to say.  Lunch today was delicious.  Thought I'd share with ya'.  One of these days I'll take pictures of the food I eat.  Promise.  It might be in three years, but I'll do it.  :)

Apple Salad
Spring Salad Mix (from Costco)
1/4 - 1/2 Apple, diced
1/4 - 1/2 Avocado, diced
1/2 - 1 tablespoon Sunflower Seeds
1/2 - 1 tablespoon Feta Cheese (optional)

In a bowl, or on a plate, place a large handful or two of salad mix.  Add other toppings.  Drizzle with this dressing.  Enjoy!

salad

Miss Pink eating her salad last summer.
She won't touch it now.
Yes, she has gone to bed hungry.
That's another post for another day.

Could the title of this post be any more boring?  I mean really, who titles a post "Salad"?  I guess I do.  Maybe that's because I'm in love with the stuff right now.  I eat it for lunch and have a huge mound of it on my plate at dinner time too.  Since I'm loving it so much, here's a recipe for my very favorite salad and dressing.  (We only use homemade dressing here.  Saves money and I know be-zactly what's in it.)

Everyday Salad
Spring Mix (from Costco)
Carrots, sliced
Avocado, diced
Dried Cranberries
Cucumber, sliced
Feta Cheese (optional)
Sunflower Seeds

In a bowl, or on a plate, place a large handful of salad.  Add as much as you want of the remaining ingredients (go easy on the cheese, please!).

Everyday Dressing
1/2 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar
4 tablespoons Maple Syrup (grade B)
1 Shallot or 1/4 onion
pinch of salt

Place all ingredients in blender.  Blend well.  Drizzle over salad.

Mmm.  I would go make myself some salad right now, but I just had some for lunch.  I feel bad just calling it "everyday salad".  Makes it sound so boring.  Maybe I'll think up a name with more pizazz.  Maybe.  Until then, just enjoy it.