Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

We all really enjoyed this soup! Ava took one bite and said “Yummy!”… that rarely happens!! I decided to puree part of the soup with my immersion blender after taking these photos and it turned out even better. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

Water/Broth for sauté 

1 Medium Onion Diced

2 Cloves Garlic, peeled and minced or pressed

1 – 15oz Can Fire-Roasted Crushed Tomatoes

1 Tbsp Minced Fresh Ginger 

1 1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Ground Coriander

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/8 tsp Cayenne

3 Medium Sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into 3/4″ cubes

8 Cups Veggie Broth -OR- 4 Cups Veggie Broth AND 4 Cups Water

1 1/2 Cup Red Lentils – sort and rinse before using

Salt & Pepper 

Instructions:

1. Water/broth sauté the onion and cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes or until the onion starts to soften. (OR water sauté)

2. Add in the garlic, ginger and spices (except the salt & pepper), stir well and cook for about 30 seconds. 

3. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add the sweet potatoes, broth/water & lentils. Stir well and bring to a boil over high heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes and lentils are soft. Taste, season with salt & pepper and serve. 

Chop all of your ingredients

Chop all of your ingredients

Spices

Spices

Saute onions for a few minutes then add ginger, garlic and spices. Stir well and cook for about 30 more seconds

Saute onions for a few minutes then add ginger, garlic and spices. Stir well and cook for about 30 more seconds

Add tomatoes and cook for about 3 more minutes.

Add tomatoes and cook for about 3 more minutes.

Smells so good!!!

Smells so good!!!

Add broth/water, lentils and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes and lentils are soft.

Add broth/water, lentils and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes and lentils are soft.

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Puree part of the soup with your immersion blender!

Puree part of the soup with your immersion blender!

Ava loved it!

Ava loved it!

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

Spices

Spices

Saute onions for a few minutes then add ginger, garlic and spices. Stir well and cook for about 30 more seconds

Saute onions for a few minutes then add ginger, garlic and spices. Stir well and cook for about 30 more seconds

Add tomatoes and cook for about 3 more minutes.

Add tomatoes and cook for about 3 more minutes.

Smells so good!!!

Smells so good!!!

Add broth/water, lentils and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes and lentils are soft.

Add broth/water, lentils and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes and lentils are soft.

Serve as is or puree part of it with your immersion blender.

Serve as is or puree part of it with your immersion blender.

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Ava loved it!

Ava loved it!

Adapted from a recipe in “The Kind Life

 

Protein Packed Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This is a great way to use up leftover white beans and add a little more protein and fiber to your breakfast! Sometimes I add raisins, almonds or walnuts and I always top it with fruit!

Protein Packed Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This recipe is from Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day – she wrote it on her Facebook page one morning and I had to try it.

Protein Packed Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

– 1/2 cup white beans (I use whatever I have left… today it was about 3/4 cup)

– 2 cups water

– 1/2 tsp cinnamon (I use 1 tsp)

– 1/4 tsp nutmeg

– 1 large apple, chopped

– 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

– 1 Tbsp ground flax meal

– 1/4 tsp vanilla

– Stevia, to sweeten (I use Kal Brand Stevia Powder)

Directions:

1. Blend beans and water until smooth. (I use my magic bullet – it’s fast and cleanup is easy!)

– Add cinnamon, apple and oats to saucepan

– Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and cover – cook for 10 minutes

– Remove from heat, stir in flax and vanilla

– Sweeten with Stevia

Use leftover white beans

Blend in Magic Bullet

Add cinnamon, apples and oats to saucepan with bean water

Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 10 minutes

Add flax meal and vanilla before serving... sweeten with Stevia

Yummy!

 

10-Minute Energizing Oatmeal

I make this oatmeal often because it’s quick, healthy and filling… great for toddlers with tons of energy or Moms who may not have enough! I served this with a little Kal Brand Stevia, Almond Milk and diced persimmons from my CSA delivery (Abundant Harvest Organics)… delicious!

This is all you need to make this recipe:

Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutesIngredients:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 sliced almonds, walnuts or raw pumpkin seeds (any nuts you like!)
  • 1 cup soymilk or almond milk

Directions:

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan, then turn the heat to low and add the oats.
  2. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly so that the oatmeal will not clump together. Add cinnamon, raisins and almonds, stir, cover the pan and turn off heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with fruit, milk and sweetener, if desired.

Serves 2

Definitely toddler approved!

White Bean Pumpkin Pie Dip

I’ve made this a few times for snack or dessert and it’s always a hit! I love that it’s so easy, healthy and delicious! My toddler loves it with apple slices!

This is another delicious recipe from Healthy Happy Mama food blog, she also created the Orange Banana Walnut Breakfast Quinoa… double yum!

White Bean Pumpkin Pie Dip

1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, or 1 (15 ounce) can, rinsed and drained

1 cup pumpkin puree (plain, not the pumpkin pie mix)

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a food processor, process the beans until they are almost smooth.  Add the other ingredients and continue to process until you have a smooth texture.  (If you don’t have a food processor, go ahead and use your blender to make this)  Enjoy!

Coconut Cardamom Breakfast Farro

Farro, you may not know what it is but trust me, you’ll like it! It’s one of the oldest cultivated grains on our planet. It is high in fiber and protein and a great source of complex carbohydrates (think good carbs – whole grains). It has a chewy, hearty texture and looks like this…

I tend to rotate breakfast grains and this is high on my list of favorites! I was in a coconut-type of mood this morning so I came up with this Coconut Cardamom Breakfast Farro! Hope you like it, I did… and my toddler REALLY liked it!

I used Kal Brand Stevia, instead of sugar, to sweeten it up a bit. You could almost chill this and make it into a dessert pudding!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup farro, rinsed

* 1 – 14.5oz can coconut milk (lite or regular)

* 1 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you want to use)

* 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

* 1/4 tsp coconut extract (optional but good)

* Little less than 1/8 tsp Stevia

* Big pinch of salt

* Shredded coconut, unsweetened (to top)

* Cinnamon (to top)

Directions:

* Add farro, milk, cardamom, stevia and salt to saucepan. Bring to boil.

* Reduce heat to a low boil, cook for 25 minutes or until your desired texture, stirring occasionally.

* Stir in coconut extract, serve with shredded coconut and a dash of cinnamon on top!

Simple Coconut, Ginger, Carrot Breakfast Bread (Sugar, Soy & Wheat Free)

Since both my kids decided to nap at the same time today, I had a chance to make this breakfast bread recipe I’ve had my eye on for a few weeks. I’m always on the lookout for healthy but fast breakfast options for busy mornings and this works perfectly! I had leftover shredded carrots from making the Healthy Veggie Muffins a couple of days ago and Chipotle Split Pea Soup last night so this was a perfect way to use them up!

Breakfast bread with peanut butter, orange slices and a glass of almond milk… Yummy!! Toddler and hubby loved this and ate it throughout the day!

The original recipe is from… you guessed it! Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day, my all-time favorite recipe source and vegan food blog. I changed it up a bit over the past year, I make it often because it’s really good! If you haven’t explored her blog, PLEASE do so!!!

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Kal Stevia Powder (I use 1/4 tsp)
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons fresh ginger
  • ¾ cup dried unsweetened coconut
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 – 15 oz can of white beans and their liquid
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons psyllium husk
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce – I like to use cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar – I used apple cider vinegar
Pre-heat Oven to 375
1.       In a food processor, process oats into flour; place in mixing bowl with the rest of the dry ingredients.
2.       Next, pulse the ginger and carrots in the food processor until really broken up
3.       Add the beans, water, psyllium, applesauce and vinegar and puree until smooth
4.       Add to the dry ingredients
5.       Grease an 8 by 8 square pan and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
6.       Let cool completely before serving
Oat “Flour”
Ginger & Carrots
Dry Mix
Putting it all together
Add wet to dry
Pour into pan and flatten

Easy Breakfast Bread!