Jalapeño & Lime Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has a long, rich history as part of the diet and ceremonies of Andean people, and is now widely known as a grain packed with protein. This salad adds a flavorful kick, along with butternut squash.

Ingredients:

1 shallot, peeled and diced

1 clove garlic, peeled and diced

*1 small jalapeño, seeded and diced

2 limes, zested and juiced

¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1 cup uncooked quinoa

1½ tsp. salt

½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tsp. + 5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

⅛ – ¼ tsp ground black pepper

1 (15 oz.) can white beans, drained and rinsed

Equipment:

Kitchen knife
Cutting board
Juicer OR fork
Microplane
Cooktop
Measuring cups and spoons
Bowl
Saucepan
Fine mesh strainer
Jar with a lid OR other container for dressing
Large bowl

Ingredients:

1 shallot, peeled and diced

1 clove garlic, peeled and diced

*1 small jalapeño, seeded and diced

2 limes, zested and juiced

¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1 cup uncooked quinoa

1½ tsp. salt

½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tsp. + 5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

⅛ – ¼ tsp ground black pepper

1 (15 oz.) can white beans, drained and rinsed

Equipment:

Kitchen knife
Cutting board
Juicer OR fork
Microplane
Cooktop
Measuring cups and spoons
Bowl
Saucepan
Fine mesh strainer
Jar with a lid OR other container for dressing
Large bowl

Directions:

  1. Wash and prepare the produce by peeling, dicing, seeding, zestingjuicing and chopping them as noted in the ingredients list.
  2. On a baking sheet, combine the pumpkin seeds with the ½ tsp. oil and paprika in one even layer. Toast for 8 minutes in the oven, or until browned and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  3. Measure the quinoa into a bowl, cover with water and give it a stir. Pour into a fine mesh strainer to remove the liquid, then add to a medium saucepan with 2  cups water and 1 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat, let sit for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a bowl and fluff with a fork.
  5. Combine the shallot, garlic, jalapeño, lime zest and juice, red pepper flakes, olive oil, salt and pepper in a jar with a lid (or another container) and shake or mix thoroughly.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the white beans, half of the pumpkin seeds, half of the cilantro, and the quinoa.
  7. Drizzle with the lime dressing and toss gently. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt and pepper.
  8. Garnish with remaining pumpkin seeds and cilantro.

*Note:

Use extreme caution while handling spicy peppers. Use gloves and be sure not to touch your eyes. Wash hands and equipment immediately after handling spicy peppers.