Tropical Retreat

This tropical quinoa salad is a bright and refreshing dish that's perfect for summer. It's made with cooked quinoa, diced mango and pineapple, chopped red onion and bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. The salad is easy to make and can be served chilled or at room temperature. It's a great side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or it can be served as a light lunch or dinner.

I first came up with this recipe when I was living in Hawaii. I was looking for a healthy and refreshing salad that would be perfect for the warm weather. I experimented with different ingredients, and I finally came up with this combination of quinoa, mango, pineapple, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. The salad was a hit with my friends and family, and I've been making it ever since.

Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup diced mango
• 1/2 cup diced pineapple
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, mango, pineapple, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil.
2. Toss to combine until evenly mixed.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Why It Works

• The quinoa provides a hearty base for the salad.
• The mango and pineapple add sweetness and juiciness.
• The red onion and bell pepper add crunch and color.
• The cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
• The lime juice adds brightness and acidity.
• The olive oil helps to bind the ingredients together.