Black Bean Soup with Roasted Red Pepper

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium-sized onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
  • 1 pound dry black beans, picked over and rinsed (2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large red bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 to 2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
  • Zest of 1 orange

Preparation: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 6-quart pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add onion and cumin and saute 3 minutes or until onion softens. Add 7 cups water, beans, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt.

Lock pressure cooker lid in place. Bring to high pressure. Reduce heat and cook at high pressure 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pressure to come down naturally before removing lid. (If beans are not tender, cover and simmer over medium-low heat until fully cooked.)

Meanwhile, preheat oven to broil. Roast bell pepper halves skin side up on baking sheet 15 minutes or until skin is charred. Wrap in wet paper towels until cool enough to handle. Rub off skins. Coarsely chop one pepper and puree it with mustard, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in mini-chopper or blender. Cut remaining pepper into 1/2 inch dice.

Stir diced red pepper, cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos and orange zest into soup. Ladle into bowls. Spoon 1 tablespoon red pepper puree in center and swirl. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION FACTS

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 258 From Fat: na

Total Fat: 4.5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 448mg

Total Carb: 43g

Dietary Fiber: 10g

Sugars: 4g

Protein: 13g

Black Bean Soup

Dry sherry enhances the flavor of this traditional favorite.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound dry black beans
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 3/4 pound smoked ham hock
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 (10-1/2 ounce) can beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • pinch of ground thyme
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 cup sour cream (optional)

Preparation: Rinse and drain beans. Discard damaged beans and any foreign material. Place in a saucepan; cover with 6 cups water and boil for two minutes. Cover pot; soak for one to four hours. Discard soaking water.

Sauté onion and garlic in butter or margarine over medium heat until tender. Add celery and sauté further 5 minutes.

In a 4-quart pot, combine soaked beans, sautéed vegetables and ham hock. Cut half lemon into quarters and stick a clove into each. Add lemon quarters, broth, 6 cups water, bay leaf and thyme to beans; stir well.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until beans are tender, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove ham hock and reserve for another purpose. Discard bay leaf. Puree soup in blender or food processor. Return soup to pot. Stir in sherry if desired. Garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Three Bean Farmers Market Stew

This hearty vegetable-based dish makes a meal on its own, though you can stir in shredded precooked chicken in the end, if you like.

4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 slices cener-cut bacon, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, crush
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 6 ounces (1-inch) cut Romano beans
  • 6 ounces (1-inch) cut green beans
  • 6 ounces (1-inch) cut yellow wax beans
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cups diced plum tomato (about 5 tomatoes)
  • 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grate Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

CROSTINI:

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 8 (1/2-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette
  • 1 garlic clove, halved
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Preparation: To prepare stew, cook the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacom from pan, and set aside.
Add garlic to drippings in pan; cook 2 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add red pepper; cook 20 seconds, stirring frequently. Add beans and salt; cook 3 minutes, stirring freuqently. stir in tomatoes; cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth, rosemary, and black pepper; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until beans are tender. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese.
Preheat oven to 425°.
To prepare crostini, brush oil evenly over cut sides of bread; rub bread with cut sides of garlic. sprinkle one side of each piece of bread evenly with rosemary. Arrange slices on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Ladle 1 1/4 cups soup into each of 4 bowls. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese; serve each with 2 crostini.

Notes: Use all green beans if Romano and yellow wax beans are unavailable.

NUTRITION FACTS

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 243 From Fat: na

Total Fat: 8.9g

Cholesterol: 16mg

Sodium: 783mg

Total Carb: 31.3g

Dietary Fiber: 6.6g

Sugars: na

Protein: 12.8g

Steamed Green Beans with Tomato-Garlic Vinaigrette

4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 garlic clobes, crushed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup seeded chopped tomato
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed

Preparation: Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl; slowly add oil, whisking to combine. Stir in tomato and thyme; let stand 10 minutes.
Steam beans, covered, 7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Cut into 2-inch pieces; add to tomato mixture, tossing gently to coat.

Notes: Use a garlic press, if you have one, to crush the garlic for this summery dressing.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serv. Size: 3/4 cup

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 73 From Fat: 44

Total Fat: 3.6g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 162mg

Total Carb: 9.8g

Dietary Fiber: 4.2g

Sugars: na

Protein: 2.4g

Sichuan Green Beans

6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped shallots
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation: Cook beans in boiling water 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold running water; drain. Pat beans completely dry with paper towels.
Heat a 14-inch wok over high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to wok, swirling to coat. Add green beans to wok; stir-fry 3 minutes or until browned. spoon green beans into a bowl.
Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to wok, swirling to coat. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper; stir-fry 15 seconds or just until garlic begins to brown. Return green beans to wok. Add vinegar, soy sauce, and salt to wok; toss to combine.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serv. Size: About 1/2 cup

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 60 From Fat: 42

Total Fat: 2.8g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 287mg

Total Carb: 7.4g

Dietary Fiber: 2.9g

Sugars: na

Protein: 1.3g

Roasted Grn Beans w/ Goat Cheese, Olives & Tomato

Tart vs. Sweet
This heavenly side dish contrasts sweet roasted green beans with tart cheese, olives, and tomatoes.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, corsely chopped
  • 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and quartered lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation: Preheat oven to 450F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Places beans on prepared baking sheet.
Drizzle the beans with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper; toss gently to coat. Spread the beans in an even layer. Roast for 10 minutes.
Stir beans. Roast about 15 – 20 minutes more or until beans are dark golden brown in spots and have started to shrivel.
In a large bowl combine dried tomatoes, pitted kalamata olives, fresh oregano and lemon juice. Add roasted green beans; toss gently to coat.

Notes: To serve, sprinkle with 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese.

Quick and Easy Turkey Vegetable Soup

The mild cheese compliments this slightly spicy soup.

6 servings

Ingredients:

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey breast
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup sliced carrot (about 2 large)
  • 1/2 cup frozen French-cut green beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 beef-flavored dry bouillon cubes, chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
  • 6 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preparation: Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add celery, onion, garlic, and turkey. Cook 5 minutes or until ground turkey is browned, stirring to crumble.
Add 3 cups water and remaining ingredients except cheese, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaves.
Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 6 bowls; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

NUTRITION FACTS

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 238 From Fat: 16

Total Fat: 4.3g

Cholesterol: 52mg

Sodium: 899mg

Total Carb: 18.4g

Dietary Fiber: 5.5g

Sugars: na

Protein: 31.9g

Pickled Jalapeno and Bacon Beans

20 servings

Ingredients:

  • 12 slices applewood-smoked bacon, corasely chopped
  • 3 cups chopped onions
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes in juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon (scant) ground allspice
  • 6 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans wih liquid
  • 6 pickle jalapeno chiles, seeded, diced
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation: Saute bacon in large pot over medium-high heat until crisp; drain on paper towels.
Pour off all but 6 tablespoons drippings. Add onions and garlic to pot.
Saute until beginning to brown, about 12 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice and allspice; simmer until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
Add beans, jalapenos, and bacon; simmer until flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes longer. Season beans with salt and pepper.
Mix cilantro into beans. Transfer to large bowl and serve.

Linguine Avgolemono w/ Artichoke Hearts & Grn Bean

Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 30 minutes

4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 12 ounces frozen artichoke hearts
  • 8 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 2-inch-long pieces
  • 12 ounces linguine
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Preparation: Place yolks in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in lemon juice, then cream.
Cook artichoke hearts and green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using sieve, transfer vegetables from pot to large skillet. Return water to boil. Add pasta; boil until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, reserving 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid.
Add pasta to skillet with vegetables. Whisk 3/4 cup cooking liquid into yolk mixture. Add mixture, 3/4 cup cheese, and parsley to skillet.
Toss over medium heat just until sauce thickens and coats pasta, about 4 minutes, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper. Serve passing additional cheese alongside.

Herbed Green and Wax Beans

4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 4 parsley sprigs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed
  • 1/2 pound fresh yellow wax beans, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation: Tie thyme, parsley, and bay leaf together with twine. Place in a large skillet with 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute.
Add beans; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well; discard herbs. Places beans in a bowl. Add oil and remaining ingedients; toss well to coat.

Notes: Adding a bundle of herbs (bouquet garni) to the steaming liquid imparts subtle flavor and aroma to the vegetables.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serv. Size: About 1 cup beans

Amount Per Serving

Cals: 49 From Fat: na

Total Fat: 1.7g

Cholesterol: 1mg

Sodium: 161mg

Total Carb: 6.9g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: na

Protein: 1.7g