Biggest Loser Quinoa

I'll admit it: we love the Biggest Loser. We watch it every week, often with an unhealthy treat in our laps (don't tell Bob). One episode showed Ali, a previous biggest loser, visiting the current contestants and teaching them to make a healthy recipe of hers. 

It looked delicious.


So I tried it. And it was, well, delicious! I love it when things don't disappoint. You can eat it as a main dish (I did) or as a side to meat or a casserole.


Now, I don't want anyone to panic that this recipe has a strange ingredient in it--quinoa can be found in any grocery story, and it's even cheaper if you go somewhere that has bulk food, like a health food store or something. 


If you're still scared, you could even substitute rice, couscous, or barley for the quinoa. 

Ali Vincent's Quinoa

Source: The Biggest Loser

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
2 cups cooked red quinoa (at room temperature or cold)
1 diced mango (or 1 cup chopped canned peaches or mandarin oranges)
1 handful chopped cilantro
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
6 green onions, thinly sliced
4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice 

Instructions
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, oil and lime juice. Combine everything else in a big bowl. Drizzle liquid mixture over the salad, and toss until well combined. Chill for about an hour. 

Camber's addition: salt to taste. I really hate to say it, but a little salt really makes the dish. Don't tell Bob.