Dried Apricot and Pistachio Quinoa Salad

This is a good have in the fridge staple for a side to just about anything, it's light, nutritious, and tasty.  

Ingredients: (I never measured anything in this salad exactly, go heavy on what you like and feel free to experiment with other fruits such as currants or different nuts such as pine nuts) 

• 2 Cups Quinoa 
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp paprika 
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley 
• 1 yellow bell pepper diced
• 1 bunch of scallions (about 6) diced 
• 1/4 cup pistachios 
• 12 dried apricots diced 

How-To:

• Rinse quinoa and prepare according to box directions, salt the water with about 1 1/2 tsp 
• While that is simmering, prepare the dressing:

1. Mix olive oil, spices, and lemon zest/juice 

• Now chop and combine all the other ingredients in a large mixing bowl
• Once the quinoa is done at it to the bowl
• Add the dressing and combine all the ingredients 

Simple Asparagus

Everyone needs a vegetable side dish that takes just a few minutes and always tastes great. You may be wondering why I would even include this as a "recipe" but in my non-cooking days I couldn't even cook vegetables without some help. This blog will assume every reader is at that level because this is a no judgement cooking zone people. So think of this as guidance if you must.