First Day of Summer

Really??  Today is the official first day of summer?   I thought summer started a couple weeks ago.  It's so hot here in the Chicago area, you would think it was August.  When it's this hot, who wants to cook?  I have some barbecued beef simmering away in the slow cooker so I don't have to heat up the kitchen. 

Here is another idea for a healthy and refreshing dinner-  my daughter Kristina's quinoa-stuffed avocados.  She developed the recipe from a meal she had in Peru, and also has entered this recipe in a local Los Angeles area recipe contest, which is looking for some great global cooking. 

The voting for this contest ends tomorrow, so please go vote for her recipe right now, and then one more time tomorrow.  The voting ends tomorrow night.  Here is the link.  You can only vote once per day, so get your friends to vote, too!  Thank you!!

Quinoa Stuffed Avocado

2 cups tri-color quinoa, cooked

1/4 cup red onion, small dice

1/2 cup cucumber, small dice

1/2 cup tomatoes, small dice

2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 avocados, halved and pitted

Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Mix in the red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Cut each avocado in half and gently scoop out of the shell, keeping it intact. Scoop the quinoa salad into the center of each avocado. Serve immediately.

Kristina in Peru!