Avocado Lime Quinoa

Fresh and healthy, this Avocado Lime Quinoa is fast to prepare!

Quinoa is one of those ingredients people usually either love or hate with a deep passion. Thankfully, we all love it in our house (even our dogs!) so we make it often. I tend to prefer it chilled, such as in this Spicy Peanut Ginger Quinoa, but it is just as delicious hot or room temperature. 

I find quinoa is a great alternative or substitute for brown rice. I cook with the two ingredients interchangeably with great results. If you prefer, go ahead and use cooked brown rice instead of the quinoa and just skip the quinoa-cooking step. It's equally delicious. 

This quinoa is delicious on my Chicken Fajita Salad with Honey Lime Avocado Greek Yogurt Dressing as well as in a wrap with chicken, sweet potato, and lettuce. 

Avocado Lime Quinoa
Serves 4

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup washed & dried quinoa
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 avocado, peeled and mashed
• about 1 tablespoon lime juice
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and add oil. Add garlic and quinoa. Toast for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until lightly browned. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and turn down heat to a simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed to little to nothing left in pan. Remove from heat, covered, and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool.

In a bowl, combine mashed avocado and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. 

Combine avocado mash with quinoa and toss until fully coated. Serve at room temperature or chilled.