Cheesy Lentil and Bean Bake

This has got to be the healthiest meal I have ever made in my entire life. Two years ago I wouldn't have touched this recipe. It would have just looked like to much of a crazy health nut recipe to me. How times have changed, I am practically a crazy health nut now myself. And proud of it!

So what is in here that is so off the wall? Beans, lentils, and kale - all in one dish! I have never even tried kale and I was hugely surprised by the amount of flavor in this green leafy vegetable. It was so delicious that I am looking forward to the next time I get to slot it into my meal plan.

SERVED WITH: We at this all on its own but over some brown rice would have been lovely.

COOKING TIPS: This recipe calls for dried lentils. You could use canned lentils if you are in a rush but that increases the GI rating. When using the dried variety first soak the lentils in water for one hour, then simmer them on the stove for approximately 30 minutes. I know it is a lot of work but I usually spend a few hours in the kitchen anyways so I just prepare them while I am cooking other things and come back to them later.

RATING: 9. It is full of flavour and nutrition, how could you go wrong.

Roasted Tomato and Bean Soup with Bacon

Now I know I am not the best photographer and these pictures don't always turn out that great. In fact I am usually in a hurry to eat and snap a quick photo while the dish is on the dinner table waiting to be eaten. So please excuse the poor quality pictures with bad lighting.

Now that it's the fall I have started focusing some attention on soups. I am not a huge soup fan but my husband is. He works outside and enjoys coming home to a warm bowl of comfort after a chilly day spent outside.


SERVED WITH: A slice of toast, wholewheat of course

COOKING TIPS: To make this soup you have to roast your veggies and that takes a while, one hour to be exact. I for one don't have that kind of time to cook when I get home from work so I roasted the veggies on my day off on Monday and popped them in the fridge until today. That way all I had to do today was puree the veggies, mix it with the stock, beans and bacon and heat up. Then it was ready in less then 20 minutes.

RATING: 7. I would definitely make this soup again.

Black Bean Burritos - Take 2

I made these black bean burritos again, this time with better results. The first time I attempted to find a healthy version of a soft tortilla shell without any preservatives and ended up with a pasty version that was rock hard and difficult to fold after only seconds of being heated. This time I stuck with the usual slightly less healthy but much more tasty tortilla shell and I enjoyed the meal even more. This time around I did discover two new products:
Armstrong cheese - a surprisingly good light style cheese. I purchased the old variety. I usually find light cheeses to be tasteless but this brand is very flavourful.
Newman's Own salsa - is a salsa made of all natural ingredients with low sugar and salt levels.

If you want to see my original post click here
SERVED WITH: All on their own. I ate one and half and was stuffed full.

COOKING TIPS: If you like your food spicy then double the amount of chili peppers the recipe calls for.

RATING: Still an 8.