Mexican Quinoa Salad

• 1 ¹⁄₂
  
  cups water
  
• 1
  
  cup quinoa
  
• ¹⁄₂
  
  red bell peppers or 1/2 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  
• 1
  
  small jalapeno, seeded and diced finely (optional ( leave it out if you do not like spicy food, add more or include some of the seeds if you )
  
• 1
  
  small red onions or 2 green onions, chopped fine
  
• 2
  
  roma tomatoes, chopped or 6 grape tomatoes, halved
  
• 1
  
  (15 ounce) can pinto beans (or other beans, I prefer black beans)
  
• ¹⁄₂
  
  teaspoon cumin
  
• ¹⁄₄
  
  cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  
• ¹⁄₂
  
  cup salsa (fresh or homemade is best)
  
• 1
  
  tablespoon canola oil
  
• 1
  
  lime, juice of
  
• 
  
  fresh ground black pepper
  
• 
  
  sea salt
  

directions

• Heat the water to boiling in a 2-quart saucepan and add the quinoa. Lower the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.
• When the quinoa has cooled, add the remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. You can serve it right away, but it’s better to let the flavors marry in the refrigerator for a few hours.