Recipe: Quinoa Salad With Black Beans, Avocado and Lime Dressing
Here’s a good recipe I recently tried and shared at a gathering with some friends. It is easy to make, good for you, and tasty!
Quinoa Salad With Black Beans, Avocado and Lime Dressing
- 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 -3/4 cup water
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, chopped into chunks
- handful cherry tomatoes, quartered, or 1 regular size tomato chopped
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- Small handful cilantro, diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 tsp cumin, or turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne
- 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Warm the olive in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s hot add the rinsed quinoa and toast for about 2-3 minutes until it starts smelling nutty. Add water, stir once, cover, and simmer with a lid on for 20 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare all other ingredients. Prepare the dressing by combining the lime juice, oil, cumin or turmeric , and salt & pepper. Whisk it aggressively. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
- When the quinoa has finished cooking, remove it from heat and fluff with a fork. Add black beans and toss to warm them through.
- Let the quinoa cool for about five minutes and then add all the remaining ingredients, including the dressing, and mix. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with tortilla chips and your favorite margarita, or low cal margarita.
Enjoy!
Barb
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on April 27th, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
More Spring Colors For Your Spring Projects…
I know I just wrote about some new spring colors we got in stock, but we just got in some more that I wanted to share. Great timing for those upcoming spring projects that include countertops! I have to admit some of these colors are pretty cool and include a variety of color tones and patterns. Whether you are looking for something unique, or more neutral, make sure you stop by our showroom and check out our colors, including our new exclusive stock colors. I am happy to say, the selection we have for you is growing.
Let’s take a look…
African Ivory
Geriba
Golden Crystal
Molokai
Murano
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite on April 25th, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
What Are Resined Slabs?
When it comes to granite countertops, there are literally hundreds of color choices. This however, has not always been the case. Over the years, there have been advances in quarrying practices, and equipment that have allowed more colors to become available for the countertop market. There have also been advances in some fabricating processes that have also helped, including the process of resining slabs. Some of you may not be familiar with the term, resining, so I will provide you with a definition.
The MIA, Marble Institute of America, in its Glossary of Terms, defines resined slabs as, ” Slabs that have been treated with a cosmetic improvement process prior to polishing, in which a resinous adhesive, usually epoxy, is applied to the face of the slab, filling various voids in the stone surface. The resin is cured at elevated temperature, after which it is polished, allowing the resin to remain in the voids. This produces a more cosmetically attractive surface without the interruptions of the natural defects.” In other words, resining helps to fill in tiny surface pitting and fissures that occur naturally in stones.
The resining process has become standard with a variety of stones, over the last 10 years and is now common place. Slabs that may once have been rejected for being too brittle, or broke in shipping, are now available to the public increasing the number of color choices.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite, Resined Slabs on April 23rd, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Bright & Bold Is In!
Back in February, I wrote about the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango.
2012 Pantone Color of the Year—Tangerine Tango
With its hot, reddish orange tones, this color definitely makes a statement, especially for decorating. …And if you are one of those people that is daring enough to use this color in your kitchen, why not add some other bright and bold touches? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but bright, neon colors are in this year. All you have to do walk through your local Target, or other department store and you will find an array of bright houseware items from bowls, strainers, knifes and other kitchen gadgets.
Here is an example…
If you are interested in seeing other hot color accessories for your kitchen, make sure you check out Kitchen Trends 2012: Juicy Neon Colors.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Kitchen Ideas on April 20th, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Countertops—What’s Your Product Line?
Sometimes I am surprised when I hear a customers say, “I didn’t realize that you sold engineered stone.” Maybe I shouldn’t be though. After all our company name only signifies granite.When we started our company, over 15 years ago now, we mainly sold granite and some other natural stones, and there was no such thing as engineered stone. Well times and have changed, and so have we. Over the years, we have added to our product line. While our specialty has always been granite countertops, we sell a lot more than that. Our product line also includes a variety of natural stones, as well as engineered stones, not to mention an assortment of accessories and convenience items.
For your convenience, following is a list of our products we provide:
Natural Stone
Engineered Stone
Glass Product
Accessories
Shop Online Items
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Engineered Stone, Faucets, Granite, Sinks, Stone Care on April 18th, 2012 by Barb | | 0 Comments
