Mango Quinoa Salad

*Sigh*  I love summer.  We had a barbecue last night with fresh watermelon, marinated chicken, roasted cabbage, and this fabulous Mango Quinoa Salad.  Everything just tasted like summer.  It is so much easier to eat healthy when tons of fruits and veggies are available and in season, don't you think?  I am such a fan of quinoa, too.  Did you know quinoa is a plant source for complete protein? That means that it has all the amino acids in the correct proportions to support human life.  I don't know of any other plant sources of complete protein, do you? Well, back to the salad... it is pretty darn good with flavorful mangos, crisp sweet red pepper, a little green onion, and my favorite herb, Cilantro!  This salad definitely stands on its own two legs, but I think it would be awesome over chicken or even with some multigrain chips!

Mango Quinoa Salad
Submitted by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe

2 cups prepared quinoa (This is 1/2 cup dry.  I like it better cooked in chicken broth)
1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 handful chopped cilantro (about 1/2 cup)
4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice (I use 2T, but I really like lime!)
salt
freshly cracked black pepper

Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl.  Add mango, red pepper, green onion, black beans, and cilantro.  In a small bowl combine vinegar, olive oil, and lime juice.  Whisk until smooth and pour on top of salad.  Toss to combine and add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for at least one hour before serving.

 

Recipe Source: Our Best Bites