Tasty Tuesday's 4/27/2015

Although spring is in the air, on the east coast, It's a comfort food type of day for meal planning. There is a cloudy overcast and it just begs for that comfort food type of meal.

My schedule has been jam packed the past couple weeks, I'm looking forward to coming home after work, taking my walk then preparing this meal (I made the Banana Oatmeal Squares last night) and sitting in front of the fireplace, enjoying this meal before settling down to study and fitting in my elliptical time for the night. A nice relaxing way to refuel after a long days work.

Making healthier choices doesn't mean giving up comfort foods and taste. It can open a whole new world of flavors for comfort! Enjoy!!!

Kale and White Bean Soup
Kale Chips
Banana Oatmeal Squares

KALE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
Ingredients
4 cups kale chopped
1 small onion diced
2 cloves garlic chopped
4 large carrots sliced
1 cup celery sliced
1 cup dry white beans (pre-soaked)
1 tblspn extra virgin olive oil
1 tblspn chopped or minced basil
4 cups vegetarian vegetable broth
Sea Salt to taste
Ground pepper to taste

Directions
In medium saucepan combine broth and beans.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add onions, garlic, basil, carrots, celery and olive oil.
Cover and cook for another approx. 20 minutes. (Depends on the size of your veggies)
Add Kale
Add sea salt and ground pepper to taste and simmer until kale is wilted.
 (Freeze for later what isn't used)



KALE CHIPS
Ingredients
1 bunch kale, tough stems removed, leaves torn into pieces (size of medium to large chips) (I make approx. 6 chips per person per serving)
1 tblpn extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Ground pepper to taste
1 tspn minced garlic
1 tblspn grated pecorino romano cheese
1 tblspn paprika


Directions
Preheat to 400°F.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. (lightly spray paper with olive oil cooking spray)
Wash and dry Kale
If kale is wet, thoroughly pat dry & transfer to a large bowl. (make sure kale is dry)
Once dry, Drizzle in large bowl toss Kale and other ingredients together till well and evenly coated. (I've been known to place all the ingredients in a sealed container and shake until well coated)
Place Kale on baking sheets, making sure the leaves don’t overlap.
Bake until most leaves are crisp, turning the pans occasionally to evenly bake.
Takes approx. 8 to 25 minutes depending on kale. Check to make sure doesn’t burn.
I serve about a half a dozen chips with the soup. It gives a crunchy textured element to the meal.



BANANA OATMEAL SQUARES
Ingredients
3 medium bananas
2 cups rolled oats
4 oz. applesauce
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup raisins
1 tspn vanilla
1 tspn cinnamon
1 tblspn walnuts
1 tblspn hazlenuts
1 tblspn dark chocolate chips


Directions
In mixing bowl, mash bananas.
Combine oats, applesauce, almond milk, raisins, vanilla and cinnamon and mix together well.
Brush 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 glass baking dish lightly with oil or cooking spray.
Place combined ingredients into baking dish, spread evenly.
spread walnuts, hazelnuts and dark chocolate evenly on top of mixture.


Bake at 350 for approx. 20 minutes.
Makes 16 squares
(You can freeze and take out as needed)


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