Portable Quinoa Fiesta

Fiesta time and the best part is that you can take it with you whatever your plans! As seen on Nashville’s News Channel 5 Talk of the Town this Portable Quinoa Fiesta is simple, fun, colorful, chalked full of nutrients, meatless, and easy to carry with you! One of the key ingredients included in this nutritious fiesta is Quinoa! Quinoa is another one of my kitchen staples simply because it is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, a nutty flavored whole grain, and contains elevated levels of natural fiber, iron, copper, thiamin, vitamin B6, is gluten free and contains many anti-inflammatory nutrients making this whole grain pretty fantastic!! Cheers to some Quinoa love…. here is your recipe!

Portable Quinoa Fiesta:

1/2 cup Quinoa cooked

1/2 cup canned black beans

1/2 cup canned corn

1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped cucumber

1/4 cup chopped green onion

1/4-1/2 cup baby kale

1tbsp shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

In a mason jar start your healthy stack with 2 tbsp of the light avocado ranch dressing on the bottom then start to layer all healthy ingredients in this suggested order after dressing: quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, kale, top with shredded cheese(optional).

Place top to mason jar and refrigerate or keep cool until ready to eat! Portable, healthy, tasty, and perfect for summer picnics!

Yields 1 serving

Double ingredients for 2 servings and can use larger mason jar.

Serve with whole grain tortilla chips and favorite salsa! Enjoy!

Light Avocado Ranch Dressing:

1/2 avocado

1 tbsp fresh chives chopped

1 tbsp fresh dill chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

1 tbsp fresh or minced garlic

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1/4 cup light Nayonaise ( egg free/soy based) or Mayonnaise