Hot Mess Quinoa Salad

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1/4 cup finely chopped Spanish onion
• 1/4 cup English cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup dark raisins
• 1 sweet potato, peeled, cubed and boiled
• 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil, split
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano, rosemary, etc
• sea salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• sunflower seeds, wheat germ and/or chia seeds for garnish
• 1 avocado

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions; cool until ready to use
2. Saute onions in 1 tablespoons olive oil until tender; cool.
3. In a large bowl combine carrots, cucumber, raisins, onion, sweet potato and quinoa. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper. Pour over quinoa mixture and toss to coat.
4. Cut avocado in half, remove the pit and peel. Plate each half and fill to overflowing with salad. Top with your choice of nuts, seeds, wheat germ or whatever.

quinoa, spanish onion, english cucumber, carrot, dark raisins, sweet potato, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh herbs, salt, freshly ground black pepper, sunflower seeds, avocado

Taken from food52.com/recipes/29606-hot-mess-quinoa-salad (may not work)