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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad


For some reason, I was unable to post this on Facebook's Note section, so I figured there was more than one way to skin a cat - so here it is!

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa or other small kernel grain (1 c. raw quinoa, 2 c. water, bring to boil with a little salt, cover and simmer 12 min.  Fluff grain with a fork, cover and let sit another 10-15 min.)
1 large or 2 med. (about 1 lb. sweet potatoes)
salt
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1/4 c. minced red onion or shallot
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. minced fresh chives or parsley (I used parsley)
 
If you haven't already, cook the quinoa.  Be sure to rinse grains well to clean off the bitter coating on it before cooking and drain thoroughly.  Peel sweet potato, dice it into 1/2" or smaller pieces.  Cook it in salted, boiling water to cover until tender.  Drain well. Toss together the potato, quinoa, bell pepper, parsley and onion.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Whisk the oil and vinegar together and toss the salad with about 1/2 of mixture.  Add all or some of the rest to taste.  Adjust seasoning.   Enjoy!
 
I had to add more dressing to the salad today.  At least half again as much. 
 
It is from Mark Bittman's, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, cookbook.

How I changed the recipe - I added a can of black beans, washed and drained the beans.  I also added diced yellow bell pepper.
 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Recap and looking towards summer

I just got to thinking about this past school year. Students' last day is tomorrow and we finish up on Monday. We started off with 6 furlough days. However, the school year was bumpy - not because of my class. My students this year were a great group. However, this year included:

  • a heart attack and a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
  • my mother's continued decline in health, resulting in placement in a nursing facility
  • a broken tailbone
  • shingles
Enough already. On the flip side:
  • I am going to be a grandmother this fall.
So this summer, I am going to:
  • take it easy
  • read books
  • exercise
  • spend a week at the beach
  • knit
What are you doing this summer?