It was many years ago when my mum first set a bowl of quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) in front of me. It didn’t look like rice. To my teenaged self, it resembled something straight out of a hippie-infested Woodstock-ian field. Quinoa is, in fact, a grain that originated in South America and was once known as “the gold of the Incas”. It became a sustaining grain for the people of the Andean region about 6000 years before Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin performed for the long-tressed flower-carrying children of the sixties.

Quinoa can be found in well-stocked supermarkets or health food stores, sold in boxes or in bulk. It is either sold as regular quinoa, which is tan in color, or in this pretty red version. If you are trying to clean up your diet, quinoa is a virtual powerhouse of protein, fiber and folate. I figure I can eat about four slices of bacon for every cup of quinoa I consume. Somehow I don’t think you will find that recommendation sanctioned by any national health organizations, but I can guarantee it will keep that feeling of deprivation in check.

This Red Quinoa and Black Bean Salad by The Church Cook is packed with colorful vegetables, black beans, and a complementary lime-cumin dressing. My husband and I were immediately enamored with the taste and texture of this salad, and proceeded to eat several helpings, either by itself or combined with cooked chicken breast in whole-wheat wraps.

Now, I have a little confession to make. I typically use the lazy cook’s way of preparing quinoa. I simply combine one part quinoa with two parts water in a medium saucepan, bring the mixture to a bowl, cover and reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the quinoa absorbs all of the water, about 20 minutes—just like cooking rice.

However, when I read Kay’s slightly more complicated method, I was up for the challenge. This is the method I am presenting to you in the following photos. Now, a cook that is not as messy as me probably will not spill the quinoa (and end up with a good quantity in her hair) when transferring the quinoa from the cheesecloth to the bowl. By the time I was done, it looked as though a tornado had blown throw my kitchen, leaving a very happy dog (licking the floor) in its wake.

For my own sanity and time considerations on busy weeknights, I will stick with my boil and simmer method. Whichever route you choose, I guarantee that you will be smitten by the tangy dressing, fresh vegetables, tender pop of the quinoa, and the promise of healthy protein and fiber.

Let’s start with the dressing.

 
 
 

You’ll need fresh lime juice, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and olive oil. You’ll want some freshly ground pepper, too.

 
 
 

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, salt, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and cumin.

 
 
 

Whisking constantly, slowly add olive oil in a thin stream until combined.

Season with pepper, to taste. Set aside.

Now let’s tackle the quinoa.

 
 
 

There is a natural coating on quinoa called saponin, which can have a bitter taste. In nature, the saponin helps to repel birds and insects. You have to love a grain that can fend for itself.

 
 
 

To remove any bitter taste, rinse the quinoa in several changes of cold water. Each time, let most of the quinoa sink to bottom of the bowl, then pour off the water.

 
 
 

Strain the quinoa in a large fine mesh sieve.

Bring 1 ½ quarts (about 6 cups) water to a boil in a medium saucepan and add some salt. Pour in the quinoa and boil for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare a colander by lining it with cheesecloth. I used the steamer insert for my double-boiler.

 
 
 

You can also use this time to prepare the other ingredients that go into this salad.

 
 
 

Drain the quinoa into the cheesecloth.

Add 2 inches of water to the bottom of the pot and bring the water to a boil. Set the steamer insert (with cheesecloth and quinoa) over the boiling water and cover. Be certain that the quinoa is not touching the water. Steam for 10 minutes.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork and cool.

 
 
 

In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, black beans, corn, chopped red and orange bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and green onions.

 
 
 

Toss gently with the dressing and serve at room temperature.

Thank you to Kay for this salad that quickly earned a place in our regular lunch and dinner line-ups. Be sure to check out her blog The Church Cook for many other innovative, tasty recipes.

 
 

Printable Recipe

 
 
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Dara Michalski is a doll and a sweetheart who clearly knows her way around the kitchen. She blogs at Cookin’ Canuck, where she shares her flavor-packed recipes and fun, engaging writing. The photography’s pretty incredible, too.