Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard

I modified this recipe from FoodNetwork.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch Swiss chard, trimmed and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 8 minutes.

2. Add the chard and saute until it wilts, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, wine, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the tomatoes begin to break down and the chard is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season the chard mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper.

4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the spaghetti.

5. Add the spaghetti to the chard mixture and toss to combine.

Transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Sprinkle the cheese and pine nuts and serve.

Tuscan White Bean and Tomato Stew

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups diced onion

3 cloves minced garlic

1 Tbsp fresh rosemary

1 tsp each dried thyme and sage

28 oz diced tomatoes (I use 1 can salted and one can unsalted)

3 cups cooked white beans

10 oz fresh baby spinach

12 oz cooked pasta (I used a blend of leftover bags, this time was orzo and elbows)

Directions:

1. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium high heat, until onions begin to brown.

2. Add herbs and saute for 1 minute.

3. Add diced tomatoes and beans and bring to a boil. Add more water if you like your soup a little thinner. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

4. Add spinach and cook until spinach wilts.

5. Stir in pasta and serve.

Ratings:

4 thumbs up - both kids and both adults.

Quick Black-Bean Tortilla Soup

I threw this together last Sunday before church and let it stay warm in the crockpot until we got home.

Ingredients
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 can broth (or water)
handful of chopped cilantro (to taste)

Directions:
1. Saute onion, garlic and bell pepper in oil until fragrant.
2. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil
3. Simmer 10-15 minutes

Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.

Mushroom Orzo

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp white wine
3-4 Tbsp vegetable broth (low sodium)
1 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 8oz carton of mushrooms, quartered
2c hot cooked orzo (1 c uncooked)

1. Cook orzo.
2. While orzo is cooking, saute garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Add parsley through mushrooms and cook 6-8 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.
3. Mix orzo with mushroom mixture.
4. Enjoy!