Two healthy salads

I made these about two weeks ago, but forgot to blog them in the whole "three days of chocolate cake" bonanza.  You'll forgive me.

Quinoa with Tomato and Dried Fruits

I got this recipe when I attended another cooking class at the Palatine Library with Dave Esau of Dave's Specialty Foods in Mount Prospect.  He is a wonderful cook, if a bit hyperactive, and this was my favorite thing he made that day.

Ingredients

• Splash of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped (optional)
• 2 celery ribs, chopped (optional)
• 2 cups quinoa, uncooked
• 1 cup tomato, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 cup spinach
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3 tbsp. goat cheese (good quality)
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a medium sauce pan, heat the quinoa and four cups of water until boiling.  Reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa fluffs up, about 15 min.  Quinoa is done when you can see the curlicue in each grain and it is tender with a bit of pop in each bite.
2. In a big skillet or pot, heat the olive oil and salt over medium-high heat.  Stir in the onion and cook for a minute or two.  Stir in the quinoa and tomato and cook until hot and sizzling.  Stir in the spinach.  Remove from heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients.  (The goat cheese will melt in the hot quinoa.)
3. Mix well and serve warm or chilled as a side dish or main salad.

If you don't already know, the easiest way to peel a tomato is to boil it in water for about two minutes.  The skin slides right off, especially if you draw an "X" on the bottom of the tomato. 

Three-Bean Salad

This recipe comes from the Skinny Bitch cookbook, which is basically a militant vegan thing.  I asked for the cookbook before knowing it was vegan, but actually I have gotten some good recipes from it.  (I should clarify that I am not vegan, nor will I ever be vegan, because cheese is just too damn good.)

The recipe includes edamame, kidney beans, chickpeas, corn, and bell peppers.  Mix together with a vinaigrette and you have a tasty little side salad!

I brought this to a little dinner at my friend's house, and we were all really happy with it.  Lots of protein, lots of flavor!