Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) has an impressive protein profile. It contains amino acids not normally found in grains, and it cooks in just 15 minutes. It has a pleasing crunch and mild, nutty flavor. Perk up its flavor with additional with delicious vegetables and a mild dressing and you’ve got a dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients

1⁄4	c	lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1	t	ground cumin
1	t	chili powder
1		garlic clove (minced)
1⁄2	c	extra virgin olive oil
1 1⁄2.	c	quinoa ((about 4 cups cooked))
2		corn ears (kernels cut off the cob)
1		red pepper (cored, seeded, diced)
1		cucumber (peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and diced)
3		scallions (thinly sliced)
1		jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced)
1⁄4	c	cilantro (fresh and roughly chopped)
1	pn	.sea salt
1		head red lettuce (eaves separated, washed and dried)
2		tomatoes (cored and cut in thin wedges)
1		avocado (pitted and thinly sliced)
1		lime (cut in wedges)
1⁄4	c	pumpkin seeds (toasted)

Instructions

1. Bring 2 3/4 cups water to boil in a small saucepan and stir in the quinoa and some salt. Return to boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat, place corn kernels on top of quinoa, cover pan, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir corn into quinoa, remove from pan, and spread out on baking sheet to cool for about 20 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, oil, and salt to taste; set aside.
3. Place cooled quinoa and corn, red pepper, cucumber, scallions, jalapeno, and cilantro in large bowl. Add 1/2 cup dressing (or more to taste) and salt to taste; mix until combined
4. Place large lettuce leaves side by side in a circle around a large serving platter so the curly tops extend just beyond the platter rim. Mound quinoa salad in center.
5. Arrange tomato, avocado, and lime around quinoa on top of leaves. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds over salad. Serve immediately or hold briefly at room temperature.

Ashley Pitman is a fresh and authentic voice that brings potent ancient wisdom to the dinner table – as something the entire family can understand, embrace and enjoy. She supports thousands of people in crafting a thriving day-to-day experience that’s in favor of their best work – we’re talkin’ raw foods, ayurveda, cleansing, life-enhancing relationships, yoga, meditation, conscious business and community. For tons of free valuable content visit her blog or sign up for the free weekly newsletter.