Quinoa and Veg Salad With Tahini Dressing - Summer

This is a perfect main meal salad on a summer day. It contains various detoxifying foods like beets, radishes, ginger, and lemon. It is also looks so beautiful when arranged on a plate with all of its bright colours. The kicker is that this recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, which is excellent for new parents who have little time, but want to continue eating healthy. I may have a little experience with that these days....

1 cup quinoa
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp honey
kosher salt and black pepper
1 bunch watercress, trimmed (about 4 cups)
1 pound raw beets, peeled and coarsely grated (about 2 medium beets)
8 radishes, thinly sliced

Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Transfer to a plate or rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate until cool. Cook the edamame according to the package directions. Strain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, ginger, honey, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Divide the watercress, beets, radishes, edamame, and quinoa among 4 plates and drizzle with the dressing.

from Real Simple magazine, August 2011 Issue