Ingredients
1 cup quinoa
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
half a red bell pepper, chopped
half a green bell pepper, chopped
half a yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1-2 teaspoons chili powder, depending heat preferences
dash cayenne pepper
1 -15 ounce can black beans, drained
3/4 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
2 limes
salt and pepper, to taste
6-8 ounces baby spinach
1 bunch cilantro
1/3 cup cheddar or feta cheese
1 avocado, diced
Directions
1. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, swirl a bit of olive oil in a saute pan. Heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, until translucent and tender. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne and peppers and saute an additional 2 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in the black beans, tomatoes, and the juice of 1 lime. Stir in quinoa. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill.
4. Roughly cut baby spinach into strips like you would shred iceberg lettuce for tacos. Remove about 1 cup of cilantro leaves from the bunch, rinse and pat dry, and toss with the spinach. Divide spinach and cilantro mixture evenly among 4 salad plates. Top each plate with a scoop of the quinoa salad. Top each salad with your choice of cheese and diced avocado. Cut the remaining lime into slices to garnish the plates.