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Please someone, I need some help.
No, not with my mental state, although some people may argue this.
And no not with my current corn, jalapeño or ice cream obsessions. No I like those just the way they are and to be honest they are probably just getting going. I am thinking they are not gonna fade till I find a new ingredient to obsess over which could be tomorrow, a week from now or months from now. Maybe in September when I will most likely flood you brains with mass amounts of apple, pumpkin, cinnamon and warm comfort foods.
But I feel it is safe to say my summer food kick is in full force. I just keep chopping fresh summer fruit and throwing it in with pretty much everything. You just wait and see.
What do I really need help with??
Music!
Yeah, I never listen to music mostly because it is too loud in my house to even hear myself think at most times. So putting music on would be adding to the noise, but this week the house is almost silent. I say almost because I have an older brother who pops in pretty frequently, to well… eat, shower and get milk for his protein shakes. See the rest of family has gone off doing yet another snowboard thing in the Mammoth, CA.
Hallelujah!
I love them to death, but man I love a quiet house.
I also found out I really enjoy cooking with music on. I actually think it helps me work faster which is just awesome. Alright, that is probably all in my head. The reason I worked faster is because other than that older brother I had not one distraction the entire day. It was awesome.
Eventually though, I got a little tired of the Pandora country station. I got so board that I actually put on Bad Company because my Dad said he loved Bad Company when her was younger. Not gonna lie, some of it was pretty good, but after like five songs I was done.
So I am taking suggestions. Please help a girl out here!
Now about this salad?
Originally I was not planning on posting this today because I posted the Caprese Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms on Monday and two quinoa recipes in one week is normally not what I would like to show you guys, but this salad was way too good not share. Especially with Memorial day on Monday.
Cause honestly Memorial day is calling out this for this salad.
It’s pretty quick, super easy and it is all about grilling!
Plus, it can be served cold, room temperature or hot of the grill!
Personally I like it when the quinoa is still warm and the veggies are hot off the grill. You know, where the heat from the veggies just slightly melt the cheese. I am all about melty cheese! Oh and then there is the crisp, cold, sweet peach!
When I saw those in the store I just about died! Peaches and nectarines are one of my favorite summer time fruits and I could not believe I saw peaches so early. Obviously I had to buy them, unfortunately for a ridiculous price!
I guess they are not quite in season yet, hence the ridiculous price, but they are good!
The sweet peach adds amazing flavor and a great juicy crunch which works really well with the sweet grilled corn and the spicy jalapeño pepper. The BBQ sauce dressing just ties it all together.
Oh and the cheese? The cheese adds awesome cheeseyness which is a must for any cookout!
BBQ Grilled Corn, Jalapeño and Peach Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 ears corn, husked
- 2 jalapeños
- 2 peaches, chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, cubed
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
BBQ Dressing
- 1/2 cup of [your favorite BBQ sauce | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce-just-like-sweet-baby-rays/]
- 1/8 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare quinoa according to directions, which will most likely call for 1 cup of liquid.
- While the quinoa is cooking preheat the grill to the highest setting.
- Combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Shuck corn ears and brush each with the seasoned olive oil. Wrap each in a square of aluminum foil, just so there is one layer covering the corn. Brush the jalapeno peppers with the seasoned olive oil. Grill for about 5 minutes each “side”. Rotating the corn 4-5 times and the jalapeno peppers 2 times during grilling. I grilled the corn for a total of 20 minutes and I took the peppers off the grill after the first 15 minutes.
- While the corn and peppers are grilling make the dressing. Combine the BBQ sauce, greek yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk to combine, taste and ajust seasonings. Set aside until ready to use.
- Remove the peppers from the grill, when the corn is ready remove them as well. Allow the vegetables to cool 5 minutes. While the corn and jalapeno peppers cool add the quinoa to a large bowl and toss with 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of the dressing.
- Slice the jalopeno peppers and if desired remove the seeds. Using a knife cut the corn away from the cob and place both the jalapeno peppers and the corn in the bowl with the quinoa. Add the chopped peach, tomatoes and cubed cheddar cheese. Toss well. Serve with any remaing dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Summer foods are pretty much just ruling my life these day. YES!
I cannot wait for peaches to come in season!!! Awesome summer salad!
I Know, mine were definitely not ready yet! I just had to get one though! Thank you Kelli!
Tieghan! I have the answer to your music hunt: Andrew McMahon (http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/). His music is so easy to listen to, catchy, and is lyrically thoughtful. I cannot say enough good things about his music (Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, and now solo), or him for that matter. He’s an all-around great guy. (I actually just wrote a post on my site in which I mention going to my first concert of his, in turn partially revealing my inner-fangirl… and I am so – typically – not the fangirl type.) Some of his singles (and thus the most popular) are Dark Blue, The Mixed Tape, and The Resolution which might be good songs to start out with. My personal favorites are Drop Out, Amelia Jean, and Down. Hope you like his music/ this helps!
Onto equally important matters – food! This looks like such a great, light yet substantial summer salad. Nice addition of the peach too, real zinger in this recipe!
This is one fabulous looking salad. Love the peach!
Thank cassie!! Hope that new job is going well!
I’ll be trying this one once these things come in season around here. I’m a girl on a budget! As for music my son and I are really enjoying opera these days. Beautiful,dramatic,and moving. By people who really know how to sing. I bet you could do some really fast cooking during Valkyrie. The Barber of Seville is lots of fun as well.
I feel ya!! Thanks for the suggestion! Sounds awesome! I have to give it a try!
What a beautiful summer salad! I love the quinoa in it!
Thank you so much Julia! I am so excited to see your comment!
Sounds perfect for summer! Lots of great flavors 🙂
Thank you, Lauren!! I am so excited to see your comment!!
John Butler Trio, The Nadas, and Jason Mraz are some of my suggestions. BTW food looks yummy!
Thanks for the suggestions!!
The perfect Summer Quinoa salad.
Thank you, Meagan!
This is so pretty! I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you so much Angie! Hope you love it!
This looks delicious! I love listening to music while cooking/baking, it really helps me focus. Personally, I like to listen to Queen, Green Day, Pink, and Avril Lavigne. Hope this helps!
Thank you Nessa!
This looks so perfect for my Memorial Day picnic! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Kelly!
Oh my goodness that sounds delicious! Savory, sweet, delicious 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thank you!
I love when my family disappears. 🙂 I need to use quinoa more often! This sounds delish!
Thanks Dorothy!
What a tasty looking summer fresh salad! I can’t wait for the peaches!
Thank you Kevin!
I love everything about this. Melty cheese, summer fruit bonanza, jalapeno. Perfection! Totally agree on the Pandora country station. Unfortunately, I’m in the same rut with my combo of Josh Turner/Jason Aldean/Zac Brown/Darius Rucker. I’ll rack my brain and see if I can think of something better! 90s hits perhaps? Gotta love a little flashback!
Ha! Thanks Erin!! I am all for 90’s hits!