Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Dressing:
5 T. fresh lime juice
1t. salt
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1 t. cumin
1/3 c. olive oil
1/2 t. pepper

Salad:
1 1/2 c. quinoa (uncooked)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 c. corn
1 chopped red or yellow bell pepper
1 minced jalapeno
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c. chopped green onion

Dressing: 
Combine all ingredients in blender and set aside.

Salad:
Wash quinoa and cook according to package directions, I pretty much cook mine like rice.  Boil water in medium saucepan (2 water to 1 quinoa) and add quinoa.  Cook on medium for fifteen minutes with lid on then remove from heat, fluff, replace lid and let sit for 15 min.

Combine the rest of the salad ingredients in a bowl then add quinoa.  Toss gently with the dressing and serve.  Tastes even better the next day.

This is my variation on a recipe I found on the Tasty Kitchen blog.

Ben's Lit'l Smokies

1 pack Lit'l Smokies
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup orange juice (or 1/4 cup concentrate)
1 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp mustard
1 Tbsp vinegar

Combine in crock pot and heat for 2 hours on high. Or low. Or whatever.

Perfect appetizer for New Year's Eve! (And reheat for breakfast in the morning!)