Who else watches The Biggest Loser? I remember the first time they started promoting it years ago, when there was nothing like that on tv, and I thought it seemed like such a horrible idea. Who flaunts people’s weight problems on national television for entertainment? Do you remember that? The idea was sort of shocking. Now of course, like so many others, it’s one of my most favorite shows. Even though half the time I watch it while eating ice cream, I think it’s completely inspiring and I love watching everyone’s transformations. I’ve loved watching this season, and for the first time in a few seasons I really love everyone in the final four. But I especially love the sisters, Hannah and Olivia. Olivia, in particular has been my favorite all season. She looks so amazing now (Check out the pics she posted to her FB Page of her homecoming. She looks crazy good!) I think she’s hilarious and not super whiny and annoying like girls can often be on that show. I also think she’s my favorite because I find it semi freaky that 
(hair aside) she looks a lot like me. And even more freaky, her sister Hannah looks a lot like my sister. Now that the season is almost over and she’s skinny and hot, people have come out of the woodwork to tell me how much we look alike. I’m pretty sure they all noticed before and chose not to mention it until now. I have smart friends.
Anyway, on an episode a few weeks ago, Ali Vincent (a previous winner) came for a visit. She did a kitchen segment where she made this quinoa salad that I thought sounded pretty good (not gonna lie, not all of that Biggest Loser food does. Cutie pie Curtis Stone can only do so much without oil and salt…) And I had just finished prepping this post all about quinoa. Perfect timing! It’s really simple, really healthy, and works great as a main dish or a side dish. Check it out.
Place some cooked quinoa in a large bowl
Add some black beans, which are packed with protein and fiber
And some gorgeous chopped bell pepper.
And if you have to sell your first born to be able to afford a fresh red bell pepper right now, you could substitute some jarred roasted red bell peppers, or even a couple of diced tomatoes.
Add some sweet, juicy mango.
FYI Whole Foods Market has awesome Hatian mangoes in stock right now.
That’s what I used and they were deeelicious.
Toss in some sliced green onions
And a big handful of chopped cilantro
Give it a big toss
In a separate bowl, whisk together the quick dressing.
Juice a half of a lime, or a whole lime if you’re a lime-y kinda person like I am.
Add a few splashes of red wine vinegar
and some extra virgin olive oil
And then pause to reflect that food is indeed art
Write a haiku if you feel so inclined
And we’ll move on.
Whisk it all up and pour it over the salad and then give it another good toss.
Now this is where I would get kicked off the ranch. Because on the ranch we all know that salt is evil. Unless you’re trying to throw a weigh-in and then it’s awesome. But I think at this point the salad needs a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Don’t tell Bob.
Chill before serving so all of those yummy flavors can party it up.
You can eat it plain as a one-dish meal, or as a side dish
Or do what I did and spoon it over grilled chicken.
It would also be great over grilled fish (or so I would imagine.
You know, if I could eat fish without my gag reflex kicking in…)
Mango Quinoa Salad
Recipe adapted from Ali Vincent
2 cups cooked quinoa* at room temperature, or chilled
1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 handful chopped cilantro (about 1/2 cup)
4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
*Quinoa can be cooked in water or broth. I suggest using vegetable or chicken broth for enhanced flavor, but plain water works great too.
Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add mango, red pepper, green onion, black beans, and cilantro. In a small bowl combine vinegar, olive oil, and lime juice. Whisk until smooth and pour on top of salad. Toss to combine and add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Gotta be honest. I usually skim through all the pics first and then go back and read. And when I saw that pic of the girl, I thought it was you! And then I wondered why you were in a prom dress…
Thats so funny, I have thought since the beginning of the season that Olivia looks like you (or vice versa). She’s definitely my favorite.
This salad looks amazing. I’ve just recently been trying quinoa in some recipes so I’m glad to have a new one to try. The first one was out of the joy of cooking cookbook and it looked good and in reality was good but it just didn’t have quite as much flavor as I would have liked. It was some sort of stuffed acorn squash or something like that. I know that flavor won’t be a problem with you though. Thats one thing I can always count on. lol. I really appreciate that about your recipes.
A. I am totally going to make this. B. You do look like Olivia or maybe she looks like you………..Go Purple.
Can I just say that I think you ladies are so hilarious!! I love, love how real you are. Thanks for making me smile while reading this (and every other post of yours. 🙂
This looks super good but…..I’ve been waiting with baited breath for the second half of the Chocolate Cake post! 🙂 It felt like torture that you gave us only half of the recipe and for me, Wednesday couldn’t come soon enough to get the second half of it!!!
What recipe are you talking about Carrie? Both parts of the chocolate cake recipe have been posted last week- did you miss it?
This taste great! Thanks for the awesome recipe.
You have done it again. Every time I buy a “new” ingredient thinking that I will figure out how to use it, you tell me how! I just bought Quinoa 2 weeks ago, didn’t have a clue how to use it, now I do! I’m going to get me a mango and pepper and try this salad soon. Thanks for sharing!!!
THANKS! I actually have all those ingredients! It’s a miracle! I also think Olivia is my favorite, although I really want to see Jay go far. Love that show!
This looks so yummy! And it’s really pretty too 🙂
I’m so thrilled to have this recipe! I saw Ali make this on the show and immediately after watching I went searching on the internet for a recipe. Never found one. Thank you so much!
I love that show and saw this recipe and had wondered if it was good. We use quiona, but we have never tried it with fruit. I can’t wait to try it tonight since we have all the ingredients. I recommend the Biggest Loser to anyone. It inspired me to run a half marathon two years ago and now I like to work out while I watch it (occasionally I eat treats too, but I do try to work out too)
This looks amazing, and I have mangoes that need used. Thanks for discovering dinner tonight! 🙂
My brother just invited my family over for dinner on Friday night and I bet this would go great with his smoked chicken! Yum! Thanks for making my side selection easy!
New food scares me. Anything (except hibachi grill and Vietnamese egg rolls) that sounds like it could have come from anywhere in Asia or Africa makes me shiver and I put an automatic stamp of “NO WAY” on it.
That being said, this salad looks like it could be super delicious and I’m so tempted to try it! And that’s because I have never made something from this blog that looked super delicious that my family didn’t just love to the point of no leftovers.
… And I may have laughed a lot about the haiku.
This looks amazing! I’m so glad you posted it; I’ve really wanted to try cooking with quinoa and I think this will be a great place to start.
P.S. Olivia is my favorite too. That girl rocks.
YUM! cant wait to give it a go…
Oh this looks fantastic-it’s supposed to be beautiful and warm next week-this is so going on my grocery list!
I’m on team Olivia too. Love that show, I cry almost every week. What happened to Michael, The Italian Stallion, from 2 seasons ago? We loved him!
This looks so easy. The only problem: I live in a tiny town and the grocery stores have a limited selection of produce. Maybe I’ll find more good stuff once the farmer’s markets get going again.
Bummer Erin! But you could totally substitute just about anything in there. Even the mangoes could be something sweet like peaches or pineapple.
Great tip … I’m trying that pineapple substitution since I have one to use up soon 🙂
I LOVE the Biggest Looser. I have been watching it for several years and am soooo addicted. And I too love the sisters! They are so funny! I have last night’s episode DVRed and am excited to watch it tonight.
Oh and this quinoa salad looks tasty. I have been on a real quinoa kick lately and have been attempting many new recipes recently. I even did my own write up all about quinoa about a month ago and shared a recipe Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf!
http://www.kitchen-concoctions.com/2011/04/quinoa-ancient-crop-with-modern-recipe.html
This looks gorgeous, fresh, healthy and delicious! I will be making it soon. You gals rock!
This recipe looks so good 🙂 Love how colorful it is. And I’m totally a limey person 😀
What a lovely combo of flavors for a quinoa salad! This looks so light, refreshing and just delicious, Sara! Not to mention simple. Thanks for sharing!
I just love you Sara! Your post bio’s are so funny and entertaining. Biggest Loser is my fave show too, and the purple sisters to boot! – It has to be one of the best seasons yet! How lucky you are to look like Olivia – you’re both Gorgeous!
PS – how about a post on a great oatmeal cookie recipe – lower in fat (no shortening please) and full of yummy things like vanilla, coconut, raisins, nuts, spices etc. I’m still debating about which is best: old fashioned oats or quick minute oats in oatmeal cookies. I searched the website for an oatmeal cookie recipe and couldn’t find one.
How about a Mac-n-cheese recipe too? Couldn’t find that recipe either.
Thanks!!!
Hey Julie, I love this recipe for Caulifloewr Mac and Cheese. I have made it twice and it’s really good. Plus, it’s a healthy version! 🙂
http://section89.blogspot.com/2011/02/cauliflower-mac-and-cheese.html
This is another great mac & cheese recipe. I even tested it on my son & his friends & they all enjoyed it.
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0AYSBzGE0caIxZGZjc3h0d3FfNTZkbTV4NzJkbg&sort=name&layout=list&pid=0B2pRYLE8Yn0ZMWI1MTQyYmYtYzE1Yy00MzJjLTkwNGMtOWRiYjUzMTA0YzIz&cindex=53
I can’t wait to make this one! Perfect for summer!
I don’t know how I missed this episode (or at least the recipe part of it) but this salad looks fantastic! I LOVE quinoa, and mangoes, and just about everything in this salad… looks like I know what dinner is tonight! YUM-O!
You probably fast forwarded it like I usually do at those parts, lol.
OKAY!!!!! This is HILARIOUS! We watch Biggest Loser EVERY week and the Purple SISTERS are my FAVORITE! 🙂 I just LOVE them! 🙂 ANDDDDDD. . . when they made this salad I looked it up on the Biggest Loser website and put it in my “to make” list! 🙂 Great to be able to see pretty pictures to go with the recipe now! 🙂
Beautiful salad. I love how colorful it is. I’ve been meaning to give quinoa a try, I may start with this recipe.
This looks so colorful and delicious! I love quinoa and have been eating warm quinoa dishes over this past winter… Now it’s time to make cold quinoa salads like this one! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
That looks so refreshingly summer! I can’t wait to try it – I’m even willing to swap my first born for that gorgeous red pepper!
Katherine D. Your firstborn must be a teenager 😀