Quinoa Springtime Bowl

Some days, you have the time and energy for complicated dishes, but most days, you  are just looking to make things as easy as possible.  This dish is about as easy, and as healthy as it gets, and has the option for both a hot and cold version.

And some days, you just want to make things really easy, and then you order take-out.

A while ago, we decided to get take-out from one of our favorite restaurants, which is unfortunately under new management. Knowing this, we decided to order on the early side before they got busy, since the last time we waited, the order was, let’s just say FUBARed (Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition).

I called to place the order, and a man answered.

Me: I’d like to order take-out

Guy: Take-out?

Me: yes

Guy: Ummmm.  Oh. Okay. Uh. Hold on.

Me: (at this point in the conversation, still using my inside the head voice)  Which word there tripped you up, pal?

Girl who picked up phone after an annoying amount of wait time: Can I help you?

Me: I’d like to order take-out.

Girl: Okay, what would you like?

After placing the order, she repeated it after me, so I thought we were all good. I was wrong.

Girl: Okay, thanks. See you.

Me:  Wait.  When will the order be ready? (And don’t you need a name or something?  Am I the only one ordering take-out? Can I just walk in and they will be like…Oh, you’re the one?!)

Girl: Uh, maybe in an hour? I dunno.

Me: (You don’t know?!?! An hour?  Seriously, how did you get this job? Were you the only one to apply, or are you related to the owner…?) An HOUR?  Wow.  That’s too long.  Are you that busy?

Girl: Well, no.  Not now.  But we are about to get busy soon. Oops.  And can you repeat your order because I just lost it when I tried to place it.

Me: (totally giving up on my inside the head voice): Are you kidding me?  You are ABOUT to get busy? AND, you lost the order I just gave you?  (Seriously, you were the only one who showed up at the job interview, weren’t you? Please tell me you weren’t deliberately hired when there are other people out there who can actually walk and chew gum at the same time–okay, maybe just a little inside the head voice) I’d like to speak to the manager, please.

Girl: Manager?

Me: Yes. MAN-A-GER.  The person in charge.

Girl: Oh.  Um.  Uh.  He isn’t in yet.

Me: (convinced now that it really would have been easier to cook dinner myself, something simple like, say, a truffle dish, where I had to travel to Paris to get the truffles which are only available the fifth Sunday of the third month of the year) Well, then, why don’t you trot on back to the kitchen and ask someone who can give you an actual answer as to how long my order is going to take? Then I’ll decide if I want to place it or go somewhere else.

Girl: (Coming back after successfully finding her way to the kitchen, maybe even without needing directions, breadcrumbs on the floor and flashing neon signs showing her the way).  Um.  They said 15 minutes.

Me: Grrrrrrrr.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of quinoa (I used multi-color, but any kind will work)
• 1 cup each of Sliced green onions, diced tomato (seeded), frozen corn (defrosted)
• 1 avocado (or more depending on your taste)
• 6 Tablespoons of lemon and or lime juice (I used one of each)
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2  -1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1/2 -1 teaspoon vegan honey or agave
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the quinoa according to package directions in water.  Set aside to cool down.
2. Meanwhile, hope the onions and tomatoes and make the dressing by combining the juice, oil, cilantro, honey, garlic,  Salt and pepper and whisking or shaking well in a jar.
3. When the quinoa is cool enough, add the veggies, stir to combine, then shake the dressing well and adding it to the quinoa, stirring well again.  Refrigerate before serving to cool completely.  Top with avocado before serving.

Enjoy!