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#WIAW: April 30, 2014 + Mexican Black-Eyed Pea and Barley Salad

in Other, Salads, Sides

I’ll admit it.  I used to hate hashtags.  And then I got Twitter.  And then Instagram.  And then I got sucked in.  I am not a crazy hashtagger, but I do use my fair share of them.  And because I am feeling rather lazy today, I am going to revert to my new friend- #thehashtag- for this one.  I promise I will make up for it with a tasty recipe at the end!

What I Ate Wednesday Thursday

Breakfast

Fruit Punch SparkNo hashtag for this one because I think it deserves a little more of an explanation.

The lovely and wonderful Becky sent me a sample of Spark to try.  I had heard so many great things about it and was very eager to see what all of the hype was about.  I absolutely LOVED the flavor and it is great that it is full of vitamin B12!  I am pretty sure that my body is not used to the caffeine though, because it crashed a little bit afterwards.  I think this would be the perfect replacement for pop on those days when I actually feel like I do need some caffeine.

WIAW 43014 8#liquidfuel #greensmoothie #neverenoughspinach #VegaOne

pumpkin chocolate oatmeal bake#obsessedwithbreakfastbakes #stilleatingpumpkinbutter

Lunch

WIAW 43014 7#mygotoeasylunch #Ezekielsproutedwrapsarethebest #sauerkrautoneverything

WIAW 43014 6#sohappythisisfinallybackinmylife

Afternoon Snacks

WIAW 43014 4#myusualafternoonsnacks #Ionlyeatceleryasanexcusetoeatpeanutbutter

Dinner

Mexican barley soup 6#anewSummerysalad #obsessedwithblackeyedpeasandbarley #recipebelow

Evening Snacks

WIAW 43014 2#hookedonhoneydew

WIAW 42314 13#likeyoudidn’tseethisonecoming #Justin’svanillaalmondbutter

Well that was kind of fun, now wasn’t it?  Make sure you head over to Jenn’s blog for other What I Ate Wednesday posts!

And make sure you keep on reading for a tasty Summertime salad…

Mexican barley saladMexican Black-Eyed Pea and Barley Salad
Vegan

Serves 2 as a meal or 4 as a side

Ingredients

3/4 cup black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
1/2 cup barley
1/2 cup sweet corn (I used frozen that I thawed, but fresh would be great!)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced (you could also add jalapeno if you like things spicy)
1/4 small yellow or red onion, diced
1 cup of your favorite salsa
1/2 tsp garlic powder
fine sea salt, to taste
sriracha sauce, optional

Directions

1. Cook your black-eyed peas and barley according to the package directions.  Let cool.  I like to cook mine on the weekend and then throw this salad together for a quick weeknight meal.

2. Combined cooked and cooled black-eye peas and barley with the remaining ingredients.  Stir until well-combined.  Add additional salsa and/or sriracha sauce to your liking.

3. Refrigerate until cool.

Mexican barley salad 3Doesn’t this salad just look like Summer?  Ah, I love it!

Mexican barley salad 2So simple.  So easy.  And, most importantly, so refreshing and delicious.

I never thought I would be a black-eyed pea or barley eater, but it turns out that I love both!

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{ 24 comments… add one }
  • Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie April 30, 2014, 7:18 am
    I love this post! And I think I need some of that energy drink mix for my drive to Davenport tomorrow! ;p Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted...Guacamole Grilled CheeseMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 30, 2014, 10:43 am
      Haha, yes I think you do!! It tastes REALLY good, which is an added bonus! And I know you like this post because of all of the hashtags. You are SO much better at using them than I am! ;)
  • Ang @ Nutty for Life April 30, 2014, 8:16 am
    Yummmm I can totally see this salad being perfect for summer picnics and parties. I'm always that weird chick who wants to bring a healthier salad. My family basically lives on mayo potato salad, so. Yeah. I can't do that all the time haha Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted...Packing and Snacking [WIAW #45]My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 30, 2014, 10:45 am
      Haha!! Well you are not the only one! I totally appreciate a healthier salad at barbecues and picnics, so don't worry... you aren't alone!
  • char eats greens April 30, 2014, 8:38 am
    For sure sounds like a great summer salad!!! I sometimes use hashtags a lot, then other times, not at all!! haha char eats greens recently posted...a day of eats and whyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 30, 2014, 10:46 am
      I hear you. It all depends on how much effort I want to put into my tweets and whether or not I remember... ;)
  • Jessie April 30, 2014, 9:09 am
    You won me over as soon as I read "refreshing". I'm all for spring type meals! I'd say you nailed it :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 30, 2014, 10:47 am
      You and me both! I don't like "heavier" foods once Spring and Summer rolls around, so this is perfect!
  • Jaclyn @ BumpSweat April 30, 2014, 10:12 am
    Mmm, sauerkraut!! I was also in a summery-food mood this weekend and so made a corn salad with lime vinaigrette and grilled a ton of random veggies. Can't wait for more grilling! Jaclyn @ BumpSweat recently posted...How Baby Benefits When Mom Exercises During PregnancyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 30, 2014, 10:49 am
      That sounds SO good!! I really need to start grilling veggies when I am at my parent's house. I live in an apartment so I cannot use a grill :(
  • Becky@TheSavedRunner April 30, 2014, 10:54 am
    This is probably a silly question, but do you make your own sauer kraut or do you buy it? If you do make it how do you do it? I have been wanting to make fermented foods, but I literally have no idea where to start.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:22 pm
      Not silly at all! I buy it, but would LOVE to try making my own. Unfortunately, I just have not gotten around to it yet :(
  • Leslee @ Her Happy Balance April 30, 2014, 11:14 am
    Omg I COMPLETELY agree about asparagus! I love it so much and it has been making frequent appearances both at lunch and dinner. Last Friday night I knew I wanted to stay in and cook but I had no idea what I wanted but I HAD to have a huge bunch of asparagus. It's amazing on the grill, roasted, sautéed. That being said, I'll probably be sick of it in a month because of eating it so much. And your recipe - looks super delish. I'd probably serve it as a side for my family :) Anything with sriracha tends to be a winner.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:23 pm
      I will probably be sick of asparagus, too! I have definitely been eating it A LOT. And yes...anything with sriracha is always good! ;)
  • Iman April 30, 2014, 12:07 pm
    Ooo, that mexican black-eyed peas and barley salad looks yumballz and refreshing! Green smoothies are the best! You can never have enough pop-eye the sailor man power ;) :D
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:24 pm
      I am SO glad that you agree! The more spinach, the better :)
  • Amanda @ .running with spoons. April 30, 2014, 1:41 pm
    When I first glanced at your breakfast bake, I thought that was ketchup on the side and I was going to scream bloody murder :lol: I love me some ketchup, but I draw the line when it comes to oatmeal. And how sad is it that I've never tried barley?!? It looks like a texture that I'd love, too!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:25 pm
      Oh my gahhh.... I love ketchup but that would be AWFUL. Thank goodness my tastebuds aren't THAT weird ;)
  • Katie @ running4cupcakes April 30, 2014, 3:13 pm
    Random question for you- do you cook your sweet potatoes in the oven or microwave? And for how long?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:26 pm
      Haha, love it! I am lazy and I microwave them. I poke them with a fork and loosely wrap them in a damp papertowel. Then I microwave for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, flip, and microwave for an additional 2-3 minutes (depending on the size).
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl April 30, 2014, 8:32 pm
    Pumpkin never gets old, even in the Summer! ;) Love the looks of the barley salad. I will definitely be giving it a try because I love black-eyed-peas, but rarely seem to use them.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:27 pm
      I definitely do not cook with black-eyed peas enough! I am trying to change that. And yay for pumpkin :) After last fall I vowed to myself that I was going to keep on eating it throughout the year since it is so good!
  • GiGi Eats April 30, 2014, 11:09 pm
    LOVE black eyed peas! I only eat them on New Years Day though - FOR GOOD LUCK :) GiGi Eats recently posted...WTF Are They Made Of, Healthy DoughnutsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl May 1, 2014, 1:28 pm
      Weirdly, I have never eaten them on New Years, but I'll have to do that next year!
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