Black-eyed pea & collard tacos

You may (or may not) have noticed that Robert and I are eating healthier than we used to.  Our goal is to eat more fruits and vegetables, and eat as least-processed as we can.  That means I am looking to new sources for recipes, and this vegan one from the Isa Does It cookbook fit the bill.   On paper this looks like an unusual combination - black-eyed peas, collard greens, and apple salsa??- but trust me, it works.  We loved it and will be making it again very soon!

BLACK-EYED PEA AND COLLARD TACOS

Yield: 8 tacos

Ingredients:

For the black-eyed peas-

2 tsp. olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

2 (15oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained

1 cup vegetable broth

3 tbsp. of hot sauce (I used Sriacha)

For the greens-

1 tsp. olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1 lb. collard greens, washed, stems removed and torn into bite sized pieces

1 cup vegetable broth

1/4 tsp. salt

For the salsa-

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced

1 large ripe avocado, diced
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
2 tbsp. lemon juice

Tortillas (soft-taco size)

Instructions

For the black-eyed peas-

Heat the oil over medium heat in a medium sauce pan. Cook the onion for about 3-5 minutes, until it softens. Add the garlic, coriander, cumin and salt, and cook for about a minute to toast the spices.

Add the black-eyed peas and stir to combine. Partially mash the black-eyed peas so there are still whole beans but not a puree. Stir in the broth and hot sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes- they should be creamy. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or hot sauce if needed. Cover and keep warm.

For the greens-
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pan and sauté the garlic for about 15 seconds. Add the greens, broth and salt, and stir to combine. Cover the pan and let the greens cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For the salsa-
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Keep covered and chilled until ready to serve.

To assemble the tacos, warm the tortillas so they are soft and pliable.
Spoon some of the beans onto the tortilla, top with some of the greens, and a scoop of the salsa.

Peanut butter cookie pie

I made this little beauty from Averie Cooks for our Bachelor watch party last week and it was a BIG hit!  Such yummy peanut butter and chocolaty goodness- I can't wait to make it again!!

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE PIE

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
heaping 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
12 to 14 mini Reeses peanut butter cups (whole or halved)
2/3 cup M&Ms

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9-inch pie dish with floured cooking spray; set aside.

In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.

Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don't scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.

Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined; don't overmix.

Turn batter out into prepared pie dish, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.

Evenly insert the peanut butter cups into the batter, pushing them down so the top is almost flush with the surface of the dough.  Evenly insert the M&Ms into the batter, pushing them down to anchor.

Bake for about 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter.  If your pie has risen in the center, it will deflate as it cools. Allow pie to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Whole wheat olive oil pumpkin bread

I don't veer from my favorite pumpkin bread recipe very often, but I wanted to give this whole wheat flour and olive oil combo from Recipe Girl a try.  This bread is delicious, and using whole wheat flour takes away the guilt when my kids eat it for breakfast.  Win-win!!

WHOLE WHEAT OLIVE OIL PUMPKIN BREAD

Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup olive oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and spices into a medium bowl; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, pumpkin, oil, eggs and water. Stir in dry ingredients and mix just until combined (don't over mix).

Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, then remove loaf to a rack to cool completely.

White bean, tomato and kale soup

We've had our share of freezing temperatures, wintry mix, and occasional snowflakes falling here in Arkansas, and in this house that means soup, soup, soup!  We made this one from Ezra Pound Cake last week and LOVED it- so hearty and such great flavor.  I can't wait to make it again!!

WHITE BEAN, TOMATO AND KALE SOUP

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the Roasted Garlic:

1 head of garlic

2 Tbsp olive oil

For the Soup:

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup onion, diced

1 rib celery, diced

1 tsp thyme, chopped

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 14.5-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

1 Tbsp roasted garlic

32 ounces vegetable or chicken broth

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

2 15-ounce cans white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

6 ounces kale, stems removed and leaves lightly chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

To Roast the Garlic: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Turn your garlic bulb on its side, and cut in half. Place the garlic, cut side up, on a sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil, and put them back together.  Wrap the garlic in the foil, and roast until tender, about 50 minutes. When the garlic cools, squeeze it out of the skin. You’ll be using 1 tablespoon for the soup, so you can store the rest in the refrigerator for several days.

For the Soup: 

In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the celery, thyme, chili flakes and oregano, and cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomato and roasted garlic, and cook for 3 minutes.

Add the broth and basil, reduce the heat to simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.

Add the beans, and bring the soup back to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes more. (Check the pot every once in a while to make sure the soup isn’t boiling and breaking apart your beans.)

Gently add the kale. Bring the pot back to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.