Thai Veggie & Quinoa Salad

Salad:
1 cup uncooked quinoa, prepared
2 stalks of broccoli, florets chopped into small pieces

2 large green onions, sliced

1 red pepper, diced

1 red onion, diced

2 handfuls of shredded carrots (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup peanuts (optional but recommended)

Handful of cilantro, chopped

Dressing:

3 limes, zest and juice

3 tsp sesame seeds

3 Tbsp soy sauce (or gluten free tamari)

3 Tbsp sesame oil

3 Tbsp rice vinegar

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and minced

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl or mason jar, whisk or shake together all dressing ingredients. Slowly add dressing to salad, tasting as you go, until it tastes how you like it.

Serves 8 as a side.

{recipe adapted from Avocado Pesto}

Cowboy Caviar

Salad:
1 can black eyed peas
1 can black beans
1 can chickpeas
1 can diced tomatoes w/ basil
1.5 c frozen corn, thawed
1 red pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
Handful of cilantro, chopped

Dressing:
1/3 c olive oil (or other light tasting oil - not EVOO)
1/4 c red wine vinegar
2 limes, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Sprinkling of cayenne to taste (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix all salad ingredients together. In a separate bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients. Mix dressing into salad.

Serves 8 as a side.

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

1 lb. boneless chuck roast, sliced into thin strips

3 heads of broccoli, cut into florets (about 5 cups)

1 apple, peeled and thinly sliced

1/2 cup beef stock

1/3 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos

1/3 cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon tapioca starch (or corn starch; optional)

In a slow cooker, add the beef stock, soy sauce or coconut aminos, honey, garlic, and sliced apple. Add the sliced beef and stir. Cook for 4 to 5 hours on low.

In a small bowl, whisk the tapioca starch or corn starch with some of the liquid from the slow cooker. Pour it back into the slow cooker and whisk well. The apples will dissolve into the liquid. Add the broccoli and cook for another 30 minutes.

Serve on top of brown rice or cauliflower rice.

Serves 3-4.

{image and recipe adapted from Paleo Leap}