Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup

I didn't have a lot of ingredients on hands, so I kept this really simple: diced tomatoes, black beans, garlic, and spices. It's an easy soup that is still full of flavor. If you're feeling fancy, top with some low-fat shredded cheese, and sliced green onion.

Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

2 cans (14.5 ounce) black beans (with liquid- don't drain!)
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Add the canned tomatoes to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
2. Heat a large non-stick soup pot over medium heat. Add all ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve!

Perfectly Roasted Parmesan Broccoli

If you're trying to add more veggies into your day, but don't enjoy them raw or steamed, I HIGHLY recommend that you try roasting them. Roasting gives vegetables a totally different texture and flavor. Unlike any other cooking method, roasting caramelizes the vegetable which gives it a naturally sweet flavor. And who doesn't like sweet?

Serve to any veggie skeptic and watch them change their mind.

Perfectly Roasted Parmesan Broccoli

Ingredients:

1 head of broccoli
Sea salt
Pepper
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Lemon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Cut broccoli into florets, leaving about 3/4" of stem.
3. Coat a baking pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Add the broccoli and coat with cooking spray and salt and pepper to taste. Roast 25-30 minutes, or until tender and crisp.
4. Remove from pan and place in a large bowl. Add the cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and toss to combine. Serve while hot!

Serves: 1-2 veggie lovers

Ginger Plum Chicken

These flavors are so refreshing and different. I love cooking chicken in a pan sauce because not only is it quick, but it also keeps the chicken moist. I used lemon plums for this recipe (I never knew they existed until I saw them in my grocery store today) so that is why they aren't purple! Of course, regular plums would work perfectly. I served my chicken over roasted paprika butternut squash sauteed with mushrooms, zucchini, nutritional yeast, spices, and a few splashes of Bragg's Liquid Aminos (similar to soy sauce). This was a delicious and healthy meal!

Ginger Plum Chicken

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 (4-ounce) thin sliced chicken breasts
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper
1 medium plum, thinly sliced
1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth

Directions:

1. Heat a non stick pan over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Rub the chicken evenly with the ginger on both sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add chicken to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 3-4 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken). Remove from heat.
3. Coat the pan with cooking spray and lower heat slightly. Add the plum slices and saute until soft (about 8-10 minutes). Add the vegetable (or chicken) broth. Cook until the broth starts to bubble and reduce (about 3-4 minutes). Add chicken back to the pan and coat in the sauce.
4. Remove from heat and serve!