It's only been two days since I got back from the trip, and I already miss my family so much!!
This picture cracks me up!! My dad, a self-proclaimed master photographer, insisted that we take a "candid" picture. Yea...we so don't look like we're posing..The hubby looks the most hilarious out of all of us, I think haha..
Oh! His genius creativity continues!
I also climbed a tree named Cork Oak! From the feel of the bark, it was appropriately named.
I climbed up just fine, but coming down was a lil' hairy. So the "macho" hubby came to the rescue and lent me his broad, manly shoulders =).
Ahh...I had so much fun...Alright, alright...enough reminiscing..
I don't know if it's nostalgia, the brutally hot weather, or the fact that I bombed my quiz (probably a combination of everything), but yesterday was one of those days where everything felt blah~
As much as I wanted to just turn myself into a cocoon with my fav Kona-scented blanket, catch up on So You Think You Can Dance, open up a box of cereal, and munch away mindlessly, I decided to get in the kitchen! I'm so glad that I did!
I opened up my fridge and three things jumped out at me - sweet potatoes, tilapia, and black beans. They inspired me to make me some sweet potato quinoa salad. I sort of went south of the border with this one as you can see by the components. To make it more special, I went the extra step to caramelize the onions. There's nothing that arouses my senses and makes my mouth water like the smell of onions sautéing. It smelled like a piece of heaven, and I instantly felt better =). I am so easy to please, eh?
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Salad
- 2 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 in pieces*
- 1 Tbs EVOO
- 1 Tbs cinnamon
- ¼ cup cooked quinoa
- ¼ cup black beans
- ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup zucchini, diced into bite-size pieces
- ¼ cup kale, chopped
- 1 avocado
Fish
- 6 oz. tilapia
- salt, pepper, chili powder to taste
- 1 Tbs EVOO
Dressing
- 3 Tbs EVOO
- 1 Tbs lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce *
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Toss the sweet potatoes in EVOO and cinnamon and spread them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 minutes.
- While the onions are caramelizing, cook the tilapia in a separate skillet with EVOO over medium-high heat, 2-3 minutes per side. Season.
- Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, pour the dressing over the salad.
- Top with tilapia
- Enjoy!


I know this looks like a lot of work, but it really came together in a cinch! It just requires a lil bit of patience. Therefore, while I eagerly waited for my onions to caramelize, I HAD to keep my mouth entertained with this delightful treat...
Do you guys have Sprouts in your area? I LOVE this store, and this lemon snap cookie is one of the reasons why I look forward to going there every week =). If there's one near you, I highly recommend that you try it!
With this extra boost of energy, I got my study on! Now I can spend the whole weekend with the hubby =). Score!
Hope you guys have a fantastic Friday!!
Ellie says
oh yeahhhh I love Sprouts!!!! they have the best deals too! When I shop there, I get about as much if not more food than if I were to shop at a regular store. And great recipe! 🙂 Many times when Greg sees me cooking or baking up a storm he asks me if I'm feeling alright, since baking is like fun therapy for me. 🙂 Hang in there and God bless you today sissy!
freshlifefindings says
Yum! I love sweet potatoes and quinoa so I definitely want to try this recipe out 🙂 I miss my family too! I'm printing some pictures from our weekend to put up in my apartment to help me cope 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend min!
Min says
I've gotten so bad about developing pics as of late....I should go to Costco! Hope you have a blessed Sunday!!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
This salad sounds amazing! Hopefully it not only lifted your day but helped the rest of the week improve too. Also, thanks for stopping by my blog - great to discover yours too 🙂
Min says
Thanks, Kari! And I'm so glad you stopped by my blog as well =).
myhealthyohana says
Your family is too cute! Sorry you had a blah day yesterday, but I'm so impressed that you were able to turn it around and make that delicious, healthy meal and get energized from it!! That's awesome 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, Min!
Min says
I wanna take a dive in your swimming pool...Right now!! Oh, and I went and bought some mangoes today =). I wonder why hehe.
myhealthyohana says
You are welcome anytime...and Tim and Kona too of course 🙂 Yay for mango pie, hope Tim likes it!!
Yoonie says
I love that 'candid' picture!!! I think you look the most hilarious... ^^
Min says
Yes..appa kept on saying that the picture's going to be a masterpiece..and look how it turned out haha. I do look pretty hilarious huh? I wish you and Noah were in the picture..sniff sniff