Meatless Monday - Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa

It's been a while since I've posted a Meatless Monday recipe.  I guess I really haven't been doing much cooking lately.  Tim has kind of taken over in that department.  After trying out four, yes FOUR, quinoa recipes, he discovered his favorite and it's super delicious and healthy! I just had to share it. We have been eating it up with all of our dinners.  It goes great as a side dish with just about anything. The key to making this recipe taste great is how you cook the quinoa.  Be sure to follow the instructions (step #3) - the quinoa should turn out very light and fluffy.

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup quinoa (see Note below)
1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 medium tomatoes, diced
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:
1.  Whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
2.  Wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.
3.  Cook quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in sieve, then set sieve in same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (water should not touch bottom of sieve). Cover quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover sieve with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. 
4.  Remove pot from heat and remove lid. Let stand, still covered with towel, 5 minutes.
5.  Add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

Note:
This is the quinoa that we buy:

It says that it's pre-washed and requires no rinsing.  We just rinse it one time rather than 3 times as it says in the instructions.  Most grocers carry this brand of quinoa in the gluten free section.

Enjoy!