Mango, black bean quinoa salad

Sometimes you just need something fresh, different, a taste sensation that surprises.  Something different from your "normal" but not too far from your comfort zone.  Something, in fact, that could become comfort food... maybe?

Mango, black bean and quinoa salad with fresh mint.

You're tired of eating rice and decide to cook quinoa.  Fantastic!  Now what??  Well... You just happen to have a mango that needs to be eaten.  And you have mint taking over the garden 'cause everything else died from the mint strangling it.  Okay maybe you don't but I did.  (Imagine that, I had a mango.)
What to do with that?  Hmmm.   Here's what I came up with.  Another simple salad perfect for cooling off in the summer's heat or as a quick side dish for a more involved meal.  A minty black bean and mango salad with quinoa instead of rice.  The vinaigrette dressing pairs nicely with the mango's sweetness. 

1 cup cooked quinoa
1 ripe mango, diced
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed

2-3 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint (1- 1 1/2 Tablespoons of dried)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup olive or grapeseed oil
pinch or two of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste 

Toss everything together and adjust salt and pepper to taste.  It is that simple!

Enjoy!

~Michelle