Kale Noodles with Peanut Sauce

What a great way to eat your kale. Anything tastes good covered in this peanut sauce!

15 min prep, 5 min cook, serves 4

1/2 lb wheat capellini
1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
2 carrots, sliced thin
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup water
2 tblspns soy sauce
2 tblspns rice vinegar
1 tblspn agave nectar (or sugar)
sesame seeds
red pepper flakes

Cook the capellini as directed. Steam the kale and carrots for 5 minutes until softened. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients except the sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Mix the pasta, kale, and sauce together and top with the sesame seeds and red pepper.

Southwest Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

This salad dressing is one of my favorites. It would go with about any kind of salad, or even try it as a dipping sauce for other foods.

10 min prep, serves 6

1 avocado, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1 medium cucumber, diced
1 can black beans, drained
1 large bag salad greens
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 lime, squeezed
1 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste

In a medium bowl, mix together the avocado, tomato, cucumber, and beans. Spoon on top of salad greens. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Drizzle dressing on top of salad.

Black Bean Soup

This soup has great flavor and could even double as bean dip. Turn this into a party by adding chips, cheese, onion, jalapeño, and sour cream on top!

10 min prep, 30 min cook, serves 6

2 tblspns olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
salt to taste
1 lime, sliced

In a stockpot on medium heat, cook olive oil, onion, bell pepper, and zucchini for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute or two, until vegetables are soft. Add remaining ingredients except lime, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes covered. Purée with an immersion blender to desired consistency. Check seasonings and serve with a squeeze of lime.