Barley Vegetable Stew

Every year my family does a rather large Easter Basket Exchange.  My brother-in-law (a financial-nerd shall we say) created a chart where (in his words) "each participant will be assigned a partner to provide an Easter Basket for based on the highest correlation of their company's stock performance when viewed across the universe of chosen companies." (We were each assigned companies based on our personalities or where we worked).

UM WHAT?!

So in my Easter basket, I received a great soup mix called Halladay's Fresh Harvest: Farmhouse Barley Vegetable Stew.  

And a fun chef's hat!

I added a few extra ingredients to make it super hearty.  The mix contained: barley, split peas, vegetarian stock, ground peppers, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and bay leaf.  All things you can easily combine even if you don't have the mix.  



Ingredients:


Barley vegetable stew soup mix
Fresh mushrooms
Carrots (chopped)
Dark red kidney beans
Diced tomatoes (1 can)
Water





Steps:
1.  In a large pot, add 8 cups of water, tomatoes, and soup mix.  Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

2. Add in chopped carrots, mushrooms, and beans.  Continue to simmer for 1 hour.

Have you ever tried different soup mixes? What's your favorite??

~Eat Well and Be Happy~

Spinach Bean Stew

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small sweet onion (chopped)
3 red potatoes (chopped)
1 package fresh sliced mushrooms
1 can black beans
1 can navy beans
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 cups water
1 package baby spinach (stems chopped off)
Crumbled feta cheese to top

These potato cleaning gloves are the best!

Steps:

1.  In a large pot heat oil over medium heat.

2.  Add in chopped onions and potatoes.  Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3.  Add in mushrooms, and thyme.  Continue to cook for about 10 more minutes.

4.  Add in tomato paste and 2 cups water.  Cover and continue to cook for about 8 minutes.

5.  Add in navy beans and black beans (remember to drain and rinse them first). Cook for about 5 more minutes.

6.  Add in the spinach, about half the package at a time.  Stir until the spinach has wilted, then add in the rest.  Cook for 5 more minutes.

7.  Top soup with crumbled feta cheese

~Eat Well and Be Happy~

Take Your Lunch To Work this week!

This Edamame Bean Salad is a perfect dish to make on a Sunday, and then have for lunch for the week.  It's absolutely delicious.  Have some plain greek yogurt on the side and you have enough protein to keep you satisfied all afternoon!


Random Sidenote:  Ever since I was little, I have had a fear of cafeteria lines.  School food quality aside, everyone always just seems to know where to go, how much food costs, what foods you have to buy (like you always had to buy a milk with the lunch, but I never wanted the milk because I don't like milk!), etc.  All growing up I brought my lunch to school, and continue to do so.  Plus, my mom would put little notes in my lunch bag, which continued through high school!  Everyone at the lunch table was super jealous...






Ingredients:  
1 can black beans
1 can chick peas
about 20 grape tomatoes cut in half
1 cup shelled edamame (thawed if frozen)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
4 oz. fresh mozzarella chopped
(this is about half of a typical package)
1/3 cup diced red onion
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms

Dressing:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. sea salt



Steps:  
1)  Drain and rinse the black beans and the chick peas.

2)  In a large bowl combine: black beans, chick peas, tomatoes, edamame, cilantro, mozzarella, onion, and mushrooms.  Stir to combine

(I have a huge issue with cutting onions.  No matter what I do, it just burns my eyes.  I have resorted to buying the pre-chopped type.  I know this is horrible both economically, and environmentally... but what's a girl to do?!)  

3)  In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing.  Pour on top of the salad, then stir to fully mix.

4)  Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to use!

~Eat Well and Be Happy~