High Protein Quinoa Salad

quinoa-salad

1 can organic black beans, rinsed
Equivalent amount of frozen or fresh corn
1 red pepper chopped
1 pablano pepper chopped
1 large jalapeno pepper chopped (membrane and seeds removed, more you keep the hotter the spice)
½ red onion diced
2 green onions sliced (white and green parts)
1 cup cooked red quinoa
Handful fresh chopped cilantro
1 tsp Epazote
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1 large lime
1/3 cup Organic unrefined and unfiltered extra virgin olive oil

Mix it all together and you have a wonderful tasting salad packed with protein.

Epazote is very popular for Mexican and South American cooking.  It is used the most in all types of bean dishes from chili to bean salad.  I found mine at Penzys Spices. It has been used in Mexican cuisine for thousands of years dating back to the Aztecs who used it for cooking as well as for medicinal purposes. Epazote has a distinct taste that cannot be replaced by other herbs. If you do not have access to it, you can leave it out. If you leave it out, use more of the other seasonings to balance out the loss of the epazote. It has been used in moderation to help relieve abdominal discomfort (gassiness) that can come from eating beans.

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