Bean Soup with Whole Wheat Pasta

beansoup

What You Need:

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 C onion, chopped
1 tbsp garlic, minced and divided
4 1/4 C of water, divided
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can fat free reduced sodium chicken broth
1 C of small whole wheat pasta
1 carrot, cut lengthwise into fourths then sliced
1 (15 oz.) can no salt cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 C of broccoli florets
1 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise then sliced
1 C of cut green beans
1 C fresh parsley leaves
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
2 1/2 C plum tomatoes, chopped

How to Make It:

Place 1 tsp of the oil into a heavy 5 qt. pot.
Place the pot over medium high heat and stir in the onions.
Cover the pan and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until tender.
Stir in 2 tsp of the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Pour in 4 C of the water and the chicken broth and stir well.
Bring the liquid to a brisk boil then stir in the pasta and carrots and boil for 5 minutes.
Remove 3/4 C of the cannellini beans and set aside.
Place the remaining cannellini beans into the pot.
Stir in the broccoli, zucchini and green beans.
Bring the mixture back to a brisk boil and boil for 5 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Place the remaining cannellini beans, oil, garlic and water into the blender.
Add the parsley leaves and Parmesan cheese and puree until smooth.
Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and puree mixture.

Makes 4 servings

Because of the pasta this soup is a great source of protein and fiber. Use small pasta such as elbow macaroni to keep this soup light yet healthy. Serve your soup with crusty whole grain bread for a delicious lunch or dinner idea.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 15 minutes 30 seconds
Total Time: approximately 35 minutes 30 seconds

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 327; Fat 9g; Saturated Fat 2g; Carbohydrates 51g; Protein 15g; Fiber 11g;
Cholesterol 2mg; Sodium 361mg

Summer Bean and Tuna Salad

What You Need:

Water
1/4 tsp salt
8oz. fresh green beans, stems trimmed
1/3C olive oil and vinegar dressing
1 tsp Dijon style mustard
1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 C of lettuce
2 (6 oz.) cans of solid white tuna in water, drained and flaked
3 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 C red radishes, sliced
1/3C of pitted Kalamata olives
Pepper

How to Make It:

Pour enough water into a skillet to fill it half full then sprinkle in the salt.
Place the skillet over medium high heat, bring the water to a boil then add the green beans.
Simmer the beans for 4 minutes or until crisp tender then drain and rinse under cold water for 1 minute.
In a bowl whisk together the dressing and mustard.
Place the green beans and 1 tbsp of the dressing in a bowl and toss to coat.
Place the cannellini beans and 1 tbsp of the dressing in a bowl and toss to coat.
Spread the lettuce over a large platter.
Mound the green beans in one corner of the platter.
Mound the cannillini beans in another corner.
Mound the tuna onto the platter.
Place the egg wedges, radishes and olives onto the platter.
Pour the remaining dressing over the entire salad and season with the pepper.

Makes 4 servings

This summer platter is great for a late lunch on a hot day. Just place mounds of the ingredients onto the platter and add a loaf of crusty bread and enjoy. Substitute chicken, turkey or even pork for the tuna if you wish.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 4 minutes
Total Time: approximately 24 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 403; Fat 22g; Saturated Fat 3g; Carbohydrates 19g; Protein 29g; Fiber 6g;
Cholesterol 191mg; Sodium 835mg

Chicken Chili with Kick

chili

What You Need:

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut up
2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen sweet pepper stir fry vegetables
1 (16 oz.) jar green salsa
1 (15 oz.) can of cannellini beans, drained well
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes with onion and garlic

How to Make It:

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Put the chicken into a bowl and sprinkle with the cumin and salt.
Place the seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook 5 minutes or until browned.
Drain the chicken well then place into the slow cooker.
Stir the salsa, beans and the tomatoes with their juice in with the chicken.
Cover the slow cooker and cool on low 5 hours or on high for 2 1/2 hours.

Makes 4 servings

The kick in this chili is the green salsa. Not fond of green salsa? Use regular salsa in mild, medium or hot depending on your preference. Use any leftovers to top a taco salad or in chicken soft tacos.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 5 hours 5 minutes
Total Time: approximately 5 hours 25 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 305; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 24g; Fiber 6g; Protein 41g;
Cholesterol 88 mg; Sodium 914 mg

Mixed Vegetables with a Kick

cutting_board_onions_peppers

cutting_board_onions_peppers1What You Need:

2 yellow onions, chopped
1 T of garlic, chopped
5 1/2 C of chicken broth
2 C Swiss chard, chopped
1 C dried chick peas soak overnight
1 C of dried cannellini beans, soak overnight
2 carrots, chopped
2 white turnips, chopped
1 fresh red chili pepper, chopped
1/4 C tomato puree

How to Make It:

Lightly spray the cooker with a non stick cooking spray.
In the cooker put the onion and garlic and cook just until beginning to brown.
Pour the chicken broth over the onion and garlic.
Stir in the chard, chick peas, cannellini beans, carrots, turnips and chili pepper.
Blend the tomato puree into the mixture well.
Bring the cooker to high pressure and cook for 25 minutes.
The pressure should be allowed to fall on its own.

If you cut the vegetables in small pieces they will never know they are there. If you prefer to have a milder stew you may omit the chili pepper.

Makes 10 servings