Quinoa with Herby Avocado and Tahini Cream and summer vegetables

BOWL SO HARD

Sometime I just want to put things in a bowl and call it a meal. And sometimes that's good enough. Here's an easy, affordable and seriously delicious lunch that you can whip up in a flash. PS - I'm falling in love with video production! Get ready for many more videos on here in the future. Enjoy! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, large chunks
• 1/4 cup of dill
• 1/4 cup of mint
• 1 avocado
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup of tahini
• salt
• pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil 
• 1 cup of quinoa
• 2 cups of water
• 1/4 cup of feta

DIRECTIONS

Place quinoa and water on stove top, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 mins. Meanwhile, place avocado, lemon, dill, mint, tahini, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse on high and slowly add olive oil until the mixture is emulsified. 

When quinoa is ready, assemble with chunky tomatoes and cucumbers, avocado cream, feta and extra herbs on top. 

Grapefruit Avocado Salad, Black Pepper vinaigrette

BEAT THE HEAT

I'm writing this post in the midst of a heat wave - the dog days of summer. The last thing on earth I want to do today is turn on my oven. Here's a hot-as-hell-outside food hack to cool you down but not weigh you down. 

All of these ingredients came from Good Food Markets, the best (and most affordable & accessible) healthy grocer in NE DC. More details on the amazing food desert healthy corner store coming soon... Till then, make this salad. It's the bomb.blogspot.com. 

SALAD

• 1 grapefruit, rind removed, segmented
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 jalapeño, deseeded, ribs removed
• 4 leaves of mint, cut in thin ribbons
• 4 scallions, chopped

DRESSING

• 3 tbs. of grapefruit juice
• 5 tbs. olive oil
• 3 tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbs. maple syrup
• black pepper and salt to taste
• 1 tbs. grapefruit zest

DIRECTIONS

Peel your grapefruit, and cut into segments. Remove the rind and any white part of the rind. Open the avocado, and dice into 1 inch cubes. Cut the pepper in have and remove the seeds and ribs (unless you love spicy food like I do - in that case, leave some of the seeds in there!). Chop the scallions. Place all ingredients in a large bowl. 

In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, grapefruit juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper, and grapefruit zest. When all ingredients are incorporated, drizzle the mixture over the salad.