As the weather warms up I start thinking about different kinds of salads to replace some of the soup meals we enjoy during the colder months. Salads don’t have to be all vegetables. Lentils and beans tossed with some raw vegetables make for hearty flavorful salads that easily stand in for your main entree. Sometimes…
Beans/Lentils
Split Pea & Yam Soup
Split pea soup is one of my all time favorite soups! The addition of yams makes it even more special – the creaminess of the split peas is the perfect match with yams – who knew? This is a simple recipe that goes together quickly and split peas are a fairly fast cook as well….
Low Fat Chili “Cheese” Fries
I was intrigued with this recipe when I saw The Healthy Librarian had posted it on her facebook page. I have never had Chili Cheese Fries – in fact I don’t think I have ever seen them on a menu or seen a recipe for them before! Since I always enjoy the same recipes and…
Make Your Own Crispy Tortilla Bowls with No Oil!
We have all seen the deep fried crispy tortilla bowls that are served up in restaurants and some of us have even indulged in them! They do make for a festive presentation but who wants all that extra fat and calories? There is a super easy way to make crispy tortilla bowls at home in…
Hummus
A delicious, slightly nutty flavored dip perfect for an appetizer, snack or part of a lunch with whole wheat pita bread, pita chips, crudités or spread on a whole wheat wrap or flat bread. Hummus 1 15 ounce can chickpeas (Garbanzo beans), low sodium, drained and rinsed 2-3 Tablespoons lemon juice (start with 2 and add…
Chocolate Ganache Pudding
The photo doesn’t do this dessert any justice. It’s so difficult to get good photos at night this time of year – sigh. It’s time to fess up and share with you that the base of this decadent dessert is none other than a can of cannelleni beans (or a box if you buy the…
Curry Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
I was inspired by a stuffed acorn squash recipe in the Happy Herbivore Abroad cookbook. I doubled the spices, added garbanzo beans, onions and dried cranberries. These changes gave it a protein and fiber boost and took it from a simple side dish to a delightful entree. We like it so much that I’ve made…
Easy Mexican Casserole
You know you have a hit when it’s time to clean up after the meal and the other guests ask if they can have some of the leftovers to take home with them! We were happy to share as I had doubled the recipe and it made a ton of food! This would be great…
Chipotle Chili With Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
The recipe calls for one can of pinto beans but at the last minute I decided to add an additional can of black beans to boost the protein and fiber. There was just enough heat from the Chipotles to give this dish some kick without setting your mouth on fire! Cut back on the amount…
Green Chili Hummus
I found the original recipe for Green Chili Hummus here on Food.com and tweaked it to my own taste. The idea of a Mexican/Southwest hummus was so intriguing and you know what? It works – this is amazing with tortilla chips, on pita bread, whole grain crackers or as a topping on a taco salad. Use it…