After all the richness and revelry the last few months have brought, this week, I was craving clean, healthy, delicious food. I wanted quinoa.

I wanted crunch. I wanted lime. I wanted bright. I wanted to eat something that made me feel good.

I found everything I was looking for in what I'm calling the "Clean Eats Salad." It's a combination of fruit, herbs, vegetables and quinoa, which is technically not a grain.

Quinoa is considered to be a pseudograin -- a seed prepared and consumed as a grain. Many consider quinoa to be one of the healthiest foods around. It's packed with fiber and protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. Plus, when prepared properly, it's delicious.

Cooking quinoa is easy, much like cooking rice, except quicker. Like rice, proportions are 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa. For the salad recipe, I used 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa and three cups water, which made more than I needed. (The next time, I'll try 1 1/4 cups quinoa and 2 1/2 cups water.)

The rest of the prep is simple: once the water or broth comes to a rolling boil, add in the quinoa. Cover and turn to low. Cook for 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. For this salad, I used chicken broth to give it more flavor.

While the salad is great with oil, lime juice and honey, I wanted to add some extra zip. I love Trader Joe's Green Goddess salad dressing. It's a mix of avocado, apple cider vinegar, green onions, chives and other spices. Its flavorfulness takes the salad to the next level.

I enjoy making the full salad for dinner on Sunday evenings and then being able to take the salad to lunch multiple days the following week.

Clean Eats Salad

3 cups cooked quinoa (white or red)

1 1/2 cups diced jicama

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup chopped red onion

4 Mandarin oranges, peeled and pulled into wedges

1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeño

5 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

4 tablespoons olive oil

Trader Joe's Green Goddess Salad dressing to taste (I used about 4 tablespoons.)

Salt and pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, jicama, cilantro, carrots, red onion and Mandarin oranges.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil and honey. Pour over the salad ingredients.

3. Optionally, try adding an additional dressing of your choice. I used Trader Joe's Green Goddess Salad dressing.

4. Toss the salad, cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.