Quinoa Salad- Perfect for a hot summer day

The other day I was searching for new recipes and I came across a quinoa salad that I thought might be interesting.  I have only had quinoa a few times and wasn't a big fan but this salad looked delicious.  I really liked the texture the grains brought... along with how easy it was to make on a hot summer day.

I did a little research about quinoa.  It is actually one of the few grains that is a complete protein.  It also contains IRON!  Something that most people with Celiac's can always use more of.  Plus it is a great source of calcium, making it great for those who don't drink milk :0)  Kinda a super food I think

Quinoa Salad

1 cup quinoa
1 can black beans, drained
1 Anaheim chili pepper, seeded, diced
1/2 small onion, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 avocado cubed
2 chicken breasts, cooked diced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup cilantro
1/4 cup water
garlic salt, pepper

Prepare quinoa according to package instructions (1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water, 1 tsp salt).  Steam like rice for 15-20 min.

Add black beans, Anaheim, onion, avocado, tomato, and red pepper into a bowl.  Grill chicken in pan with garlic salt and pepper.  When chicken is all finished, remove and add 1/4 cup water to bottom of the pan and remove from heat.  Stir around and get all the drippings off the bottom of the pan.  Pour all that wonderful, now flavored water into the bowl with vegetables.  Dice chicken, and add along with quinoa into the bowl.  Add cilantro and lemon juice.  Season to taste.  Makes GREAT leftovers.

Plus, if you just look at it, all the bright colors make you happy!