Beef Vegetable Soup

 

 

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients
1 pound boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 small potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 14-1/2-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1/2 cup loose-pack frozen peas
Fresh parsley sprigs (optional)

Directions
1. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine beef chuck pieces, sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, and chopped onion. Sprinkle with salt and thyme. Add bay leaf, tomatoes with their juices, and water. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
2. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in peas and garnish with parsley if desired.

Savory Bean and Spinach Soup

 

 

 

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients
3 14-ounce cans vegetable broth
1 15-ounce can tomato puree
1 15-ounce can small white beans or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, chopped
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine vegetable broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, basil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
2. Cover; cook on low-heat setting 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.
3. Just before serving, stir in spinach or kale and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Vegetable and Chickpea Curry

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
3 cups cauliflower florets
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup loose-pack frozen cut green beans
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
2-3 teaspoons curry powder
1 14-ounce can light coconut milk
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
Cooked brown rice (optional)

Directions
1. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cauliflower, chickpeas, green beans, carrots, and onion. Stir in broth and curry powder.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
3. Stir in coconut milk and shredded basil leaves. Spoon rice, if using, into bowls, and ladle curry over the

top.

Quinoa & Smoked Tofu Salad

 

 

 

Ingredients

2 cups  water

3/4 teaspoon  salt , divided

1 cup  quinoa, rinsed well (see Tip)

1/4 cup  lemon juice

3 tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil

2 small cloves  garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon  freshly ground pepper

1 6- or 8-ounce package  baked smoked tofu, (see Tip), diced

1   small yellow bell pepper, diced

1 cup  grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup  diced cucumber

1/2 cup  chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup  chopped fresh mint

 

Directions

1. Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa and return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Spread the quinoa on a baking sheet to cool for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cooled quinoa, tofu, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and mint; toss well to combine.

Tips:
Tip: Quinoa is a delicately flavored, protein-rich grain. Rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering. Find it in natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets.

Precooked "baked tofu" is firmer than water-packed tofu and comes in a wide variety of flavors. You might also like flavored baked tofu on a sandwich or in a stir-fry.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Quinoa with Latin Flavors

Ingredients

1 cup  quinoa, (see Note)

2 teaspoons  canola oil

1   medium onion, chopped

1 4-ounce can  chopped green chiles

2 cloves  garlic, minced

1 14-ounce can  reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth

1/4 cup  pepitas, toasted (see Note)

3/4 cup  coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup  chopped scallions

2 tablespoons  lime juice

1/4 teaspoon  salt

 

Directions

1. Toast quinoa in a large dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it crackles and becomes aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chiles and garlic; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the quinoa and broth; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Add pepitas, cilantro, scallions, lime juice and salt to the quinoa; mix gently and fluff with a fork.

 

Tips:
Notes: Quinoa, a delicately flavored grain that was a staple in the ancient Incas' diet, is available in most natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Toasting the grain before cooking enhances the flavor, and rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective coating.

Hulled pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are dusky green and have a delicate nutty flavor. They can be found in the health-food or bulk sections of many supermarkets.

To toast nuts & seeds on the stovetop: Toast in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes.

Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame & Tarragon

Ingredients:

1 cup  quinoa, (see Note)

2 cups  vegetable broth

2 cups  frozen shelled edamame, thawed (10 ounces)

1 tablespoon  freshly grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons  lemon juice

2 tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons  chopped fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried

1/2 teaspoon  salt

1/2 cup  drained and diced jarred roasted red peppers, (3 ounces)

1/4 cup  chopped walnuts, preferably toasted (see Cooking Tip)

Directions:

1. Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.

2. Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the quinoa and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook gently for 8 minutes. Remove the lid and, without disturbing the quinoa, add edamame. Cover and continue to cook until the edamame and quinoa are tender, 7 to 8 minutes longer. Drain any remaining water, if necessary.

3. Whisk lemon zest and juice, oil, tarragon and salt in a large bowl. Add peppers and the quinoa mixture. Toss to combine. Divide among 4 plates and top with walnuts.

Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients:

13.5oz can of light coconut milk
1/2 cup white chia seeds
2 tbsp of honey or agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup slice almonds
your choice of fruit: 
I like a blueberry, strawberry, mango combo
4 tsp coconut flakes.

Instructions:

1.  In a pint-size mesuring cup combine the chia seeds, coconut milk, honey or agave nectar, and vanilla.  Stir until combined, then refrigerate for one hour.

2.In each of four small serving cups, add fruit, alternating with chia seed mixture.  Top with a sprinkle of almonds and shreded coconut.