Quinoa Taco Bowls with Fresh Guac

 

For Cinco de Mayo this year I wanted to make a clean version of tacos for dinner that are also 24 Day Challenge friendly. I created the Quinoa Taco Bowl! It was a big hit and next year when I am not pregnant I will be pairing it with Margarita Jello Shots!

What you will need:

Quinoa:

1/2 medium red onion

1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 tsp cumin

1tsp paprika

1tsp chili powder

1 tbs lime juice

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock (I used veggie, to keep the meal meatless)

Fresh Guacamole: (approved by and eaten at least once a week by my two year old)

3 ripe avocados

1 large tomato

1/2 medium red onion

1 clove garlic

1 tbs lime juice

1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Additonal Options:

Beans (I used black and pinto)

Meat (chicken, low fat ground turkey, and ground buffalo are good options)

Shredded Cheese (not 24 day challenge friendly)

Greek Yogurt (not 24 day challenge friendly)

With the exception of the Quinoa and Stock measurements all of the other ingredients can be adjusted to suit your taste.

To make the Quinoa:

Start by chopping your onion and then place it in a large pot that has been sprayed with a cooking oil like Pam. Saute the onions over medium heat until they begin to soften. Then add in the spices, lime juice and cilantro and allow it to continue to cook for another 3 minutes.

Once the onions are nice and soft add in the quinoa and stock and turn the heat up to high. Wait for the mixture to boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low and allow the quinoa to cook for 12-15 min.

The quinoa will have absorbed all of the liquid when it is done. While the quinoa is cooking heat black beans and pinto beans in a separate pot.

 

To make the Guacamole:

Chop the tomato, onion, garlic and cilantro into a large bowl then add in the lime juice.  At this point you have a delicious fresh salsa!

Next cut your avocado in half and remove the pit. Cut your avocado in a grid pattern taking care not to cut the skin. Then using a spoon scoop the avocado out of the shell and into the bowl. The final step is to mash all of your ingredients together. Depending on if you like your guacamole chunky or smooth you can mash a little or you can mash a lot (or just throw everything into the food processor)

Final result:
Put a scoop of Quinoa in a bowl and top with beans, guacamole and the optional cheese, greek yogurt and meat!