Tomato Basil Quinoa Salad

I have this problem with saying no to buying things when they are on sale.

Whether it's a good sale or bad, I will somehow find a way to convince myself that it's worth buying because I'm saving money. (Although I'm not taking into consideration that I probably wouldn't buy that item normally...)

That's right. You can bet that I still have yet to find a place for that life sized green butterfly wall decor that I bought on the sale rack at Pier 1, or the ugly lamps that my neighbor was selling for a STEAL, and don't forget to mention a grey chair sitting in our living room with an unquestionable wet stain right on it...

But the worst part of my problems happens when I buy food that's on sale. Like when I saw a sign off the side of the road for a  huge box of tomatoes, let's say maybe 30 to count the size of baseballs, for 6 dollars.

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Let me remind you our household is only 2 1/2...and one of those persons passionately hates tomatoes. (Hubbers.)

So by the time those tomatoes are gone I'm either going to have one heck of a stomach ache, or turn red and round like a tomato...I'm hoping for the latter.

Unless of coarse you want to come over and pick up some tomatoes? I'll do a free trade, maybe for a huge pillow? One that would most likely cover that stain...yuck.

But if whole tomatoes aren't your thing, maybe dicing them up and throwing them in a salad is. And if that's the case, consider your self lucky!

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6773562766_faed5178a0_z

Tomato Basil Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

2 c. prepared quinoa

1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed

3 1/2 c. - 4c. diced tomatoes

2 c. spinach

1 c. packed basil

Dressing:

2 TB. balsamic vinegar

1 TB. olive oil

2-3 cloves garlic finely diced

zest of one small lemon

salt and pepper to taste

(parmesan cheese:optional)

Directions:

1. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and set aside. 

2. In a food processor, finely chop basil leaves and spinach. Set aside

3. In a large bowl add quinoa, beans, tomatoes, chopped greens, and dressing. Mix until combined, and add more salt and pepper to taste.

4. Set in fridge until ready to serve.

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6773568178_c65a776191_z

If you want, feel free to add parmesan cheese on top.

This would be a great side dish, main dish, or a healthy snack! I had it for lunch, and ate it on top of pita chips:

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6773568438_05e737f303_z

Now I've got to work on my other 'problem', which is making excessive messes in the kitchen...

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6919685627_112869beab_z

Either that, or I've got to some how find someone willing to buy that stained chair...

Some idiot will buy it, right?