Peruvian Purple Potatoes

This combines all my favorite things, especially the toasted sesame seed dressing.

Check out this Peruvian purple sweet potato, it's gorgeous!




QUINOA, SWEET POTATO, AND SESAME SALAD

Ingredients:
-1 sweet potato (whatever color :D), cubed
-1 carrot, peeled and chopped
-1/2 red onion, chopped
-1 jalapeño pepper with seeds removed, minced
-6 cloves garlic, minced
-1/2 avacado, chopped and tossed with the juice of 1 lime
-salt & pepper, to taste
-1.5 c. quinoa, washed and soaked for 10 minutes

-->Dressing:
-1/2 c. sesame seeds, toasted
-1/2 c. olive oil
-2 Tbs. vegetable oil
-2 Tbs. soy sauce
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. pepper



Directions:

After soaking, put the quinoa to boil with 3 c. fresh water and 1.5 tsp. salt. When boiling, turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 min, or until all the water is absorbed. Cut the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 3 Tbs oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Put in the sweet potato, and fry for about 7 minutes, until it starts taking on color. Add the carrots, and cook for a couple more minutes, or until the carrots take on color. Add the onion, and cook for another 2 minutes. Then add the diced pepper and garlic, and cook 1 min. Turn off heat and add salt & pepper.

After toasting the sesame seeds, put in a blender with the rest of the salad ingredients. Pulse 5 times, so that some seeds remain whole but the dressing is liquidy.

Add the dressing to the quinoa and integrate. Let all the elements cool, then mix together in a bowl with the avocado. Serve at room temperature.

By the way, this dressing is delicious with absolutely everything, I especially like it with cucumber salad :)