Quinoa Kale Avocado Salad

I feel as though this is the quintessential California surf meal. It's healthy, it's filling, it's easy and quick to make and it's got avocados. My heart goes out to anyone who has to pay more than $2 for avocados. Bummer. If they are expensive where you live, I say just splurge one day and get some anyway; bring a bite of California gold into your life (I swear this post isn't sponsored by an avocado company...although if you know anyone... ;). When you bring those avocados home, use them wisely and make this delicious recipe.

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients

1 cup of quinoa 

1 head of kale

1 lemon, squeezed

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 avocados

1/4 tsp. Himalayan sea salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

optional additions

olive oil
cheese

handful of cashews

nutritional yeast

*I try to use organic when I can of all of the above

Instructions

Cook the quinoa (1 cup quinoa to 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer; cover and cook until all the water is absorbed; ~10-15 minutes). While the quinoa is cooking make the kale salad... 

Remove the stems from the kale and place it in a bowl. Add the Himalayan sea salt and massage it into the kale so that the salt starts to "cook" the leaves (i.e. break down the leaves so that they are "wilted"). Keep going until you see juice start to come out of the kale. Next, massage the leaves with lemon juice, 1 avocado, garlic and pepper until well incorporated. Taste. You might need more lemon juice or more salt. Cut up the remaining avocado and add it on top. 

Remove the quinoa from the stove and place it in serving bowls (It's probably best if served cold, but I've enjoyed it hot as well). Mix the kale salad in with the cooked quinoa. Add extra avocado cubes on top if desired. Enjoy!

p.s.  thank you all for your supportive comments on Wednesday's post (and always). You guys are awesome!
p.p.s. Kale salad recipe provided by Roberta. Check it out here