Quinoa Burrito Bowls

Recipe from The Shiksa in the Kitchen

I like trying to cook new things.  I find it exciting and fun! Quinoa is something that I had heard of before and for some reason always thought was a "fancy food".  That fancy people made and ate it.  I mean, for heavens sake! No one can even pronounce it correctly! If you can't pronounce a food's name then in my book, that makes it fancy food.

Well, apparently I'm a fancy person because a) I now know how to pronounce it correctly and b) I know how to cook it!

This healthy, simple dish is fun and easy to make.  The quinoa acts as your burrito  base and you build on top of that with tasty black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, corn, etc.  It's a great way to sneak some whole grains into any diet.  I highly recommend this dish.  Don't get me wrong, this is no Cafe Rio but this also won't add any more rolls to my muffin top and that makes me happy to eat this.

1 c. quinoa

2 c. water

1 T. olive oil

1/4 c. chopped white onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 c. water

1-2 t. chili powder

4 T. chopped cilantro, separated

2-3 limes (depending how juicy they are)

salt to taste

shredded lettuce

Toppings of choice:

salsa

avocado

corn

tomatoes

sour cream

cheddar cheese

onion

cilantro

Rinse quinoa in strainer if the quinoa you have purchased if not already pre-rinsed.

Put in medium pot along with 2 c. water and bring water up to boil and then turn down to low.  Cover and set timer for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat up oil in pan.  Add onions and cook until softened.  Add garlic and saute for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant.  Add beans, water, chili powder and 2 T. cilantro.  Cook on medium high until water is absorbed.  Turn down to low. Salt to taste.

Once the quinoa is cooked add 2 T. cilantro and juice from all the limes and fluff with a fork.  Salt to taste.

To assemble burrito bowls put quinoa, black beans and lettuce stacked in layers.  Toss on other topping ingredients as desired.  Enjoy!