Healthy Recipes-Quinoa Salad (Vegan)

Very summary look and clean, Quinoa (nutrition info) Salad was prepared by one of my best friends at Christmas dinner few years ago. I still remember the look and taste. It's the perfect time to eat salad when everything is very meaty for holidays;)) It also helps clean your body!!




I was preparing new year eve meal at home and all of sudden I needed more cilantro and some wax paper. Drove to the closest supermarket around 9pm....closed;((( I guess everybody could not wait to go home for holidays!

Today, I really wanted to go out to get some fresh air. Drove to supermarket again. Wow, I guess everybody ran out of foods after holidays;)) The store was so packed that I could not even find a parking spot! I bought a lot of fresh vegitables. Really miss my salad!

Benefits:
Rich in minerals, such as Iron, protein, fiber, and Vitamines.

Green Peas (nutrition info) need to be well cooked, completely well done!!! Always cook any green beans before mix in salads!!!!

Black eyed peas (nutrition info) -I actually bought one can of fresh black eyed peas at a local suparmarket. Super delicious!!!

Wheatgrass (nutrition info)-Bought it at Wholefoods today! It tastes very refreshing. There are many popular claims (wheatgrass in capsule, tablets form), such as healing power and weightloss about Wheatgrass. Most of them are not scientifically proved. I'm not a big fan of supliments unless necessary. I believe in "take food as medicine, instead of taking medicine as foods". But fresh wheatgrass is a greate source for minerals, vitamines and dietary fibers, for sure. For people who are preganant, breast feeding, etc, would not recommend it, per Mayoclicnic.com

Radish (nutrition info) -In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it says "if eat radish in winter and take ginger in summer, you do not have to visit doctors!!" so do I need to say more?;))

Tea pairing-Green or Herbal tea

Ingredient A:

1/2 cup Green peas, cooked
½ cup diced yellow bell pepper
1 small red onion, diced
1 cup diced tomato
½ cup mushrooms, diced
1/4 cup wheatgrass, diced
1/2 cup fresh black eyed peas, cooked
1/2 cup radish, diced
½ cup chopped cilantro
3/4 cup quinoa
3 cups water

Ingredient B

1/2 tsp salt (or salt to taste)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1-1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp apple vinegar
fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions:
1. Rinse quinoa in water to get ready. Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cleaned quinoa. Bring the heat to medium or low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until cooked. Drain off the water and rines again quickly in cold water to allow to cool.

2. Mix ingredient B together evenly in a small bowl. Mix ingredient A in a large bowl then add ingredient B mixture. Toss few times to allow all veggie coated with dressings.

The truth is with fresh vegetables, really not much dressing needed!!

What's your favorite salad?