protein packed

i am always looking for new, fun recipes using protein packed whole grains like quinoa. i stumbled upon this fresh and easy black bean and tomato quinoa and found it to be the perfect side dish for a healthy mexican meal. i paired it with martha stewart's cayenne-rubbed chicken with avocado salsa bringing a little heat to the table!!

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• ingredients
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• 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

directions

whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.

wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.

cook quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. drain in sieve, then set sieve in same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (water should not touch bottom of sieve). cover quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover sieve with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. remove pot from heat and remove lid. let stand, still covered with towel, 5 minutes.

add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

(i actually didn't do the steaming part of the quinoa and just prepared it according to the package. everything turned out just fine.)

xoxo

elle.

{recipe via epicurious}