quinoa salad with mango and avocado.

Quinoa.

The name alone sounds healthy and exotic.  Then toss in some mango, avocado and cilantro and we’ve got a full-on flavor party.

I realize I’m not going to convince everyone to give quinoa a try but this nutty grain is packed with fiber and protein and you just feel down-right healthy eating it.  I might even still feel good about it smothered in hot fudge.  Ok, maybe not…

What I do like about quinoa as a frugal foodie is that it is hearty enough to base a meal around, diverse so you can add all sorts of flavors to it, and it costs far less than most sources of protein.  It makes me think I may try sneaking in a few more vegetarian dishes this year (don’t tell my husband).

Quinoa is kinda like rice and kinda like couscous.  It cooks up like rice where you let it boil, then turn it down low to simmer…but cooks really fast like couscous.

Then you add in your toppings – avocado, mango, tomato, cilantro and green onions.

Finally, toss with a light lime-olive oil-cumin dressing and you’re on your way to health and wellness (or at least you’ll feel good about having that scoop of ice cream for dessert .

Quinoa Salad with Mango and Avocado

(Serves 4 as a main dish, 6-8 as a side)

What You’ll Need:

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

1 avocado, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

1 mango, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

1 large tomato, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

juice of 2 limes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

salt and pepper

Instructions

Place quinoa and water in a covered medium saucepan and set over medium heat.  Bring to a boil for 1 minute, then turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.  Toss with a fork and bring to room temperature.

Once cool, toss quinoa, avocado, mango, tomato, cilantro and green onion in a medium bowl.  Separately, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt and pepper.  Toss together with the salad.  Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

TOTAL:  $4.62 or $1.16 per serving based on 4 servings (even less if you serve it as a side).

Wondering how on earth I arrived at these costs?  Take a look at my shopping guide to show see what I pay for items, per serving, etc.

Nutrition:

305 calories per serving

13 grams of fat

41 carbs

8 grams protein

8 grams fiber

Mosey on over to Facebook and let me know what you think!