Creamy Tomato Soup - Without the Cream!

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium potatoes, diced (leave 1 or 2 unpeeled if you wish!)
4 c. broth (chicken or vegetable)
1 t. dried basil
1/2 t. dried oregano
28 oz. petite cut diced tomatoes
1 t. sugar
salt to taste

Directions:
In a large pot, heat 2 T olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent.  Add diced potatoes, broth, spices and tomatoes (and their juice), and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.  Using an immersion blender, blend completely.  Stir in sugar and salt.  Serve immediately.

Lentil Salad

Ingredients:
dressing
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. lemon juice
4 green onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced (or garlic salt)
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
salt and pepper
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

salad
2 cups lentils, cooked
1-2 tomatoes, diced
1 cup cooked ham, diced (optional)
green pepper rings

Directions:
Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl. When well mixed, add warm lentils, tomato and ham. Stir to combine. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with pepper before serving.

Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad

From:
Paula Deen


Ingredients:
For the salad:
2 cups cooked corn, fresh or frozen
1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup finely diced red onion

For the dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:
Combine the corn, avocado, tomatoes and onion in a large glass bowl. Mix together the dressing ingredients in another bowl, pour over the salad, and gently toss to mix.

Goodwiches

Ingredients:
flour tortillas
mayonnaise
steamed broccoli / cauliflower florets
onions, sliced & sautéed with bbq sauce
cheddar cheese, shredded
dill pickles, sliced lengthwise
shredded carrots

Directions:
Place everything out on the table and assemble wraps as you like. Add other ingredients if you like - avocados might be nice in place of the mayo.

Ginger Glazed Salmon

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
1 salmon fillet (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Directions:
Preheat broiler to high. In a bowl, combine sugar, mustard, soy sauce, ginger and pepper. Coat a broiler-proof pan with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange salmon fillet in pan and make shallow cuts diagonally across the salmon. Brush with sugar mixture. Broil 6 inches from heat for about 10 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Note: can also grill

Cuban Black Beans

Ingredients:
2 (10 ounce) cans black beans, drained of liquid or 2 cups cooked black beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:
Fry the onion and pepper in a little oil. Add the garlic and saute a little. Introduce a little of the bean liquid until all previous ingredients are soft. (I used chicken broth.) Add the beans with the remaining liquid. (I kept splashing in chicken broth as needed.) Add spices and simmer about 30 minutes. Add the vinegar just before serving. These are quite good when served over a bed of rice seasoned with just lime.

Mushroom Salad

Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh mushrooms, quartered
4 tbsp. lemon juice, divided
6 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. chives
1 tsp. sugar

Directions:
Place mushrooms in saucepan with 2 tbsp. lemon juice and water to cover. Bring to boil, boil for 5 minutes. Drain well. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over mushrooms. Marinate at room temperature for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with additional parsley.