Homemade Black Bean Tostadas with Lime and Fajita Veggies

Ingredients Black refried beans: Can black beans plain One minced and seeded jalepeno 1/2 large red onion minced 3 cloves garlic minced Tsp cumin powder Tsp chili powder Tsp garlic salt plus more to taste Tortillas: Small corn tortillas (1 pack. At least 10) Veggies (pick at least 3 and stir fry in cumin and chili powder, below is an example): 2 bell peppers, sliced and chopped to thin 1.5 inch lengths (or just dice it…) 1 zucchini, same as pepper 1 yellow zucchini squash, same as pepper 1 large red onion, same as pepper but quarter moons Chili lime slaw (this is excellent on tacos or tostadas): ...

July 15, 2026

Homemade Salsa

Ingredients 1.25 lbs roma tomatoes (5-6) 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes (low salt and maybe fire roasted) 3 green onions, ends trimmed 1/4 red onion 1 jalapeño (up to you on seeded, usually not) Batch cilantro 1 large clove garlic 2 tbsp lime juice 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt or little less Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Combine all ingredients in a food processor (in batches if necessary) and combine. If you have time, allow salsa to refrigerate for a few hours before serving to better blend spices (it is worth it)

July 15, 2026

Lentil Dahl

Ingredients 2 cups red lentils 2 inch fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves garlic, minced 1.5 tsp turmeric 2.5 tsp curry powder 5 cups water or some type of broth Salt and pepper to taste Optional add ons in dish (cook with lentils) or as toppings at end: Butter Onion variety Jalapeno Cilantro Other veggies Instructions Place all of primary ingredients in large saucepan and bring to simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes until everything is soft and it is a little thicker. Add optional items if cooking via the one-pot method Add optional toppings Serve with rice

July 15, 2026

Lentil, Tomato Soup

Ingredients 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, lightly drained 1 cup brown or green lentils, picked over and rinsed 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste Pinch of red pepper flakes Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped fresh collard greens or kale, tough ribs removed 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 to 1 medium lemon), to taste Instructions Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and carrot and cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes Add the garlic, cumin, curry powder and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained diced tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often Pour in the lentils, broth and the water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Securely fasten the lid, protect your hand from steam with a tea towel placed over the lid, and puree the soup until smooth. Pour the pureed soup back into the pot. (Or, use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup.) Add the chopped greens and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the greens have softened to your liking. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two of red pepper flakes Serve while hot

July 15, 2026

Minestrone Soup (Instant Pot)

Ingredients 2 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 cup Onion diced 5 cloves Garlic minced 4 fresh roma tomatoes diced 4 Celery Stalks chopped 4 Carrots chopped 2 small Zucchini chopped 1/2 cup elbow macaroni pasta or similar 32 ounces vegetable or chicken Broth 1 can White Kidney Beans 15oz, drained 2 cups Spinach chopped (can substitute kale but leave out the stems) 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated or shredded Parsley chopped, to garnish (optional) 2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, more to taste 1 teaspoon Salt, to taste 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper crushed, to taste 1 teaspoon Paprika, to taste Instructions Start the instant pot in SAUTE mode with olive oil. Add diced onions and minced garlic. Stir and Saute for 2 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and chopped celery, carrots and zucchini. Add in the italian seasoning, salt, pepper and paprika. Stir another minute or so to mix well. Add in the pasta, vegetable broth and white kidney beans. Stir it all up. Make sure the pasta is under the broth. Press Cancel and close lid with vent in sealing position. Set to SOUP setting (high pressure) for 6 minutes. It will take a while to hit pressure and temp. 6 min starts AFTER that FYI. When 6 minutes are up and instant pot beeps, release the pressure. Stir in the chopped spinach and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir in. Garnish with parmesan cheese (optional) and minestrone soup is ready to serve.

July 15, 2026

Miso, Noodle, Peanut Soup

Ingredients Broth: 2 cm fresh ginger, finely grated 2 green onions, minced 1.5 cups water 2 tbsp miso paste (either white or red, dealers choice) 2 tbsp peanut butter no sugar added (or almond or similar, get unsweetened if possible) Noodles: 1 packet ramen, or equivalent in rice noodles, or soba or udon or whatever available For serving: 1 sheet nori (seaweed) 1 red chili, finely sliced (or red chili flakes work fine) 2 tbsp fresh coriander (or 1-2 tbsp ground coriander works) 2 tsp black or white sesame seeds Instructions Cook the noodles separate as per package. Then place in serving bowl Place ginger and onion in small sauce pan with tiny bit of oil. Turn on the heat and just start to cook/sizzle, then add the miso and peanut butter along with the water. Whisk together and slowly bring to simmer. The instant it starts simmering, take off the heat and pour in serving bowl with the noodles Add the servings ingredients to the bowl and serve immediately

July 15, 2026

Pasta Tutto Giardino (White Sauce Primavera)

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 diced onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp salt 1 cup diced carrots, diced well 2 bell peppers diced (choose different colors) 1 package sliced mushrooms (12 oz) 1 large zucchini, diced 1 tsp oregano 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes 1/2 cup fresh basil 1 cup steamed asparagus, cut into 1 in. lengths (or peas) 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup flour 2 cups warm/hot milk (can be almond or whatever) Salt and pepper to taste 1-2 tbsp lemon juice (optional) 1 lb fettuccine pasta, cooked according to package directions Grated parmesan Instructions In soup pot on med heat, saute onions, garlic, and carrots for a few minutes. When ~soft add the rest of the veggies and wine. Cover and cook until the veggies are all tender (8-10 minutes) Stir in tomatoes and basil and turn off the heat. (if using asparagus or peas, steam them separately and stir in now) Melt butter in sauce pan on med-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes. Add milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened Stir white sauce into vegetable mixture (in that soup pot) and reheat on low. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in lemon juice if desired to brighten flavor. If sauce is too thick, add a smidge more milk Serve over pasta with parmesan Note Fresh veggies really make a difference here. Also, just use whatever veggies you got

July 15, 2026

Quick Greens as a Side

Fresh Greens 2 bunches of kale (or 8 cups), cut into 1/2" or shorter sections 4-5 cloves garlic, minced Olive oil Few tbsps red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper Instructions Fresh Greens: Heat oil and add garlic plus red pepper flakes. Saute for a minute or so. Then add kale as much as you can fit. Add more as it shrinks. Saute and add pepper/salt to taste until greens are limp and tender. Serve immediately as it does not stay warm long.

July 15, 2026

Red Lentils (Mediterranean/Indian Mix)

Ingredients 1 yellow onion chopped 4 garlic cloves minced 3 carrots chopped 3 tsp oregano 1.5 tsp cumin 1 tsp rosemary (or more) 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 bay leaves 1-1.5 cup crushed tomatoes from a can 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (buy the good stuff not the cheap salt variety) 1-1.5 cup red lentils Salt and pepper to taste Few tbsp lemon juice Optional toppings: Feta cheese, greek rice, crackers, bread Instructions Heat oil in big pot and saute onion, garlic and carrots for a few minutes on med-high heat Add spices and bay leaves and stir a few seconds. Quickly add tomatoes, broth and lentils before spices burn Simmer for 15-20 minutes until lentils are fully cooked Using an immersion blender (or blender) pulse until you get it as smooth as you want it Add lemon juice and serve with optional toppings available

July 15, 2026

Spicy Tomato Soup

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1 yellow onion, minced or in food processor 3-4 cloves garlic, minced or in food processor 1 tsp salt or more to taste 1 tsp dill, if using fresh (don’t have to) throw in food processor with garlic and onion Lots of ground black pepper 1 lb, 12 oz can crushed, concentrated tomatoes 2 cups water 1 tbsp honey (optional) 1 tbsp mayonnaise or sour cream (for texture and appearance) 2 medium fresh tomatoes, diced small For optional toppings: yogurt, minced parsley, minced basil, minced scallions or chives Instructions Heat olive oil and butter in dutch oven or deep pan. Add onion, garlic, salt, dill, and black pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent. Note: It is best to throw the onion, garlic and dill (if fresh) in food processor to mince them even better prior to cooking Add canned, crushed tomatoes, water, and optional honey. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat About 5 minutes before serving, whisk in mayonnaise or sour cream, and stir in diced tomatoes Serve with option toppings, added by the eater Garlic Bread (10/10) Ingredients: fresh baguette or similar bread, sliced 1/2" i.e. thin ish, butter or country crock, garlic salt, and parmesan cheese (the flakes not the ground stuff) ...

July 15, 2026