Taco Salad Tuesday

I love a good taco salad. My mother really loves a good taco salad. Mom if you're reading, I'm thinking of you with this one! Last week my foodie friend posted a picture of a quinoa taco salad. You'll remember Noel from her amazing black bean burgers she guest posted on TAB. I was in mid bite of my quinoa fried rice, but instantly wished I was eating her Mexican dish instead of my Asian dinner. With tons of leftover quinoa from my fried rice I made sure to pick up some taco salad accompaniments at the grocery store this weekend to recreate her creation. 

I love love love this healthy version of a taco salad. Layers of quinoa, ground turkey, black beans and loads of veggies and cheese! 

Quinoa Taco Salad
serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 15 oz. can black beans
1 head of romaine lettuce

Toppings:
diced yellow onion
sliced avocado
chopped tomatoes
Mexican cheese
salsa
chopped cilantro

Directions:
Cook your quinoa according to package directions or use leftovers from your Quinoa Fried Rice! Over medium heat, brown the ground turkey. Drain the grease then add in taco seasoning. While your turkey is cooking, heat the black beans in a sauce pan over medium high heat. 

Chop your veggies and get all your toppings ready to assemble. Start with a base layer of romaine. Work up from there with a layer of quinoa, then ground turkey, then black beans. Load on all the avocado and cheese and salsa you desire! 

I love topping my taco salad with some of Trader Joe's  corn chile salsa. I picked up some during our weekend in Fort Worth and it's almost gone. I'm still holding out for OKC to get our own TJ's. Now go enjoy Taco Tuesday properly with a little quinoa taco salad! I'm enjoying TT via a tupperware of leftovers at my office desk...

Annie