For a while now, I’ve been toying with the idea of putting myself on a Gluten Free diet. No real reason really. Just want to see if I feel any different when eliminating gluten.
And here is a recipe that will be on the menu when (if ever) I decide to make that leap.
Red Quinoa with Avocado, Black Beans and Corn
Yield – 4 servings
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Cooking Time – 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup red quinoa ($1)
- 1 cup frozen diced green pepper ($.29)
- 1 cup frozen corn ($.29)
- 2 cups cooked black beans ($.40) (Or learn how to cook your own beans here.)
- 1/4 cup lime juice ($.10)
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (free from the garden)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 avocado, diced ($1)
Directions
- In a large skillet, saute the green pepper, corn and black beans.
- Once softened, add the lime juice and cilantro.
- In a saucepan, cook the red quinoa as directed on the package.
- Once cooked, mix the quinoa in with the sauteing veggies.
- Dice up an avocado.
- Serve the avocado on top of the quinoa and veggies.
Cost $3.08
(I could have eaten 18 bowls. I really would have.)
I cooked up a huge batch of quinoa the other day and froze it in serving sizes- I’m so going to make this tomorrow!
Oh – that looks yummy. Anything with avocado has my full, undivided attention.
Looks delicious! I’ve been getting more and more into using quinoa now that I’ve “discovered” it – LOL! Thanks for a great recipe to try!!
I’ve seen a lot of recipes with quinoa recently but haven’t seen it at my grocery. What is it paired with at your grocer?
I make a similar salad to this using roasted corn and tomatoes but no quinoa or avocado.. I might have to try this variation.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, it looks good! I am wondering how many it serves, and did they come away feeling satisfied? The reason I am asking, I have a teen son who can out eat both my husband and I.
Okay, this is interesting. Please tell me though, what is quinoa and where is it in the store? I have never heard of it. My family doesn’t care for pastas but does like rice. Is it in the rice family? Although they rebelled against the couscus. LOL
Hello – quinoa is found in the bulk food section of many grocery stores. I find it more affordable if purchased in bulk rather than a box. It takes a little getting used to – then a great substitute for animal protein. A rather amazing food given that it is a complete protein. Good luck incorporating it into your meals.
Quinoa is a grain-like crop grown mostly for its edible seeds. It is not a true cereal or grain as it is not a grass. It is grown primarily in South America and its origins are ancient. During the Inca civilization it was considered one of the three staple foods along with corn and potatoes.
Today Quinoa is appreciated for its nutritional value and is often used as a substitute for grains. It contains 14 grams protein per serving (1 cup cooked) and unlike wheat or rice, quinoa is a complete protein source. There are six grams of fat and seven grams of dietary fiber per serving. It is a good source of phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is also gluten free and is considered easy to digest.
It can be found in your regular grocery store in the natural food aisle.
This is very similar to a recipe my sister got from the back of a box of Trader Joe’s red quinoa. I think it only lacks cilantro dressing (which, of course is Trader Joe’s also). I absolutely LOVED this! It’s amazing. My hubby, who doesn’t like avocado loved it, too. The kids didn’t like it, but they kinda have texture issues. In any case, this recipe is a definite winner!
Please! Please! Please! Get yourself tested by a professional before jumping full force into a GF diet. First of all, they can only diagnose while you are eating gluetin. Secondly, if you aren’t intolerant, there is evidence that returning to wheat is difficult on the body — maybe even worse than being GF. Simply going GF when it isn’t necessary puts the body in a condition that isn’t warranted — I’ve read where non-GF sibs who go off wheat are nutritionally deficient. Leave this up to the Pros — I know the went to school a lot longer than I did (maybe others, too).
Hubby found out about a month ago that he has Celiac’s and has to go gluten free. However, the rest of us are not going GF but have significantly cut back on the gluten in our diets.
I am so trying this recipe. I have wanted to try quinoa for a while and just haven’t. This will be made as a side dish. I am sooo tired of rice and potatoes. Thank you for posting this recipe at just the right time. Kids will probably not eat it but their loss.
Your recipe looks so tasty, I’ve printed it and will make very soon. My rediculously picky teen daughter is away for the month, so I am making everything I love that she hates, LOL! Three weeks of almost all vegetarian meals, oh boy, yippee!!
I heart produce, and produce hearts me!
I live in the Columbus area, and the Whole Foods by me has a chef that does tastings, demonstrations & classes on vegetarian cooking. His Quinoa Salad With Edamame, Sweet Corn & Black Beans, is just about the MOST heavenly thing I’ve eaten in ages. I have the recipe hand out at home, and want to share it with you. I’m thinking it’s not under $5 to make, though. It calls for some Bragg’s Aminos for seasoning, which is expensive to buy. You only use a little, though, so maybe the cost could be $5 or less. I plan on making it this weekend, and will list the costs of each ingredient. My photo won’t be as wonderful as your photos, but I will include one with the recipe when I submit it next week!
Hubby and I are both celiac and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see more gluten free meals here. (tho I usually just adapt anyway). Going gluten free is the best thing that’s ever happened to me (tho obviously I had too). It’s only been a few years but I have discovered a love of food and cooking and life (true as corny as it sounds) that I never had before. When your kids were gf you didn’t try it? Just curious if you did it then too.
I work at a daycare as a cook. We recently were researching GF/CF free diet for autism. The biggest caution that dietitions, nutritionists, and physicians gave was that you should ween off gluten, as you can cause your body to go into withdrawals. We did have a child go on this diet cold turkey, and it was very difficult on him. Seemed almost painful. Please, if you are doing this, go easy. gradually. all of the advice was at least over a month, two is better.
I will try this soon. I have yet to find a quinoa dish that my kids (4 and 2) will eat without a fight. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this one!
@Starving Student Survivor,
I think the lime juice flavor helped for my kiddos.
I made this yesterday (albeit with regular quinoa), and it is delicious! Plus, it was easy to make. I’m having leftovers for my lunch right now.
Thanks, Erin!
I made this dish last night! I used poblano peppers instead of bell peppers and added onions!! Fab, easy meal!!
Yum! You combined some of my favorite things! Thanks for a great idea!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
YUM!!! Quinoa is sooo healthy and high in protein. I have been looking for great recipes for cooking this fabulous grain :). Thanks!
This looks scrumptious I plan on making it this week. Just need to get red Quinoa.
I’ve been looking for a new recipe for quinoa. I’ll be trying this one this weekend.
I will probably make this Quinoa recipe AND the Spicy Quinoa w/ beans, corn and lime recipe too. Love me some quinoa!
This will be great for the Bob’s sample of Quinoa I got recently. I’ve never had it.
Loved this — quick, easy, tasty! Look forward to trying out your other recipes.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks!