Quinoa Black Bean and Corn Salad

 I can not wait until summer, and not because of warmer weather and garden fresh veggies, but so I can eat this salad for dinner at least once a week.  It has a great lime and cilantro flavor and usually lasts for 2 to 3 dinners as a side dish.  I hope you like it as much as I do.  I  found the recipe on the Internet a while ago and have made it work for us.  First of all I have never been able to find red quinoa, and second of all I never put in the jalapeno peppers because that is going too far with the kids. I do prefer it more the second day after the flavors have mixed and sometimes I warm it up.

• Red Quinoa, black bean and corn salad
• Red quinoa and black bean salad
• FOR THE DRESSING:
• 5 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 whole Garlic Clove, Finely Mined
• ¼ cups Finely Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin, Or To Taste
• ⅓ cups Olive Oil
• ½ teaspoons Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
• _____
• FOR THE SALAD:
• 1-½ cup Red Quinoa (sold In Health Food Stores)
• 1 Tablespoon Table Salt, Add When Boiling Quinoa
• 1 can (14 Oz. Can) Black Beans, Drained, Rinsed
• 1-½ cup Corn Kernels, Fresh (cut From About 2 Large Ears)
• 1 cup Finely Chopped Colored Sweet Bell Peppers
• 1 whole Jalapeno Chilies, Seeded And Minced (wear Rubber Gloves)
• ¼ cups Finely Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• ¼ cups Finely Chopped Green Onions

Preparation Instructions

For the dressing:
In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, salt, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and cumin and add oil in a stream, whisking. Add pepper to taste. Set aside.

For the salad:
In a large bowl soak quinoa for at least 15 changes of minutes. Drain in a large fine sieve.  Bring quinoa and 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil then reduce heat to simmer and let cook for 20 min. covered.  Fluff with fork and cool completely.  ( I like to do this the night before and just put it in the fridge)

Combine in a large mixing bowl the beans, corn, remaining vegetables, herbs, and cooled quinoa. Toss gently with the dressing. Can be prepared a day ahead for flavors to combine. Serve at room temperature.