PASTA E FAGIOLI Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups caned plum tomatoes
• 12 basil leaves, julienne
• 3 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, undrained
• 5 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces small pasta shells, preferably whole wheat

Preparation:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
2. Add tomatoes and basil. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes while stirring.
3. Add beans with their liquid and water. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until soup thickens.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add pasta and cook until al dente.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

• Calories - 330
• Fat - 4 grams
• Saturated Fat - <.5 grams
• Carbohydrate - 65 grams
• Dietary Fiber - 1.8 grams
• Protein - 14.7 grams
• Sodium - 655 milligrams
• Potassium - 547 milligrams

BLACK BEAN HUMMUS Yield: 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
• 4 cups cooked or canned black beans
• ½ to ¾ cup water
• 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Put lime juice, peanut butter and garlic in food processor and process to a smooth paste.
2. Add the black beans and process until the mix is very smooth, thinning it to a spreadable consistency with the water.
3. Add cilantro and jalapeño peppers and mix, just to incorporate.
4. Serve with whole wheat pita bread wedges.

Nutritional Information Per 2-Tablespoons Serving:

• Calories- 40
• Fat - 1 gram
• Saturated Fat - 0 grams
• Carbohydrate- 6 grams
• Dietary Fiber- 1 gram
• Sodium - 10 milligrams

CONFETTI SLAW Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/3 head red cabbage, shredded (about ¾ pound)
• 2 medium carrots, cut in thin strips or shredded
• 1 large green pepper, cut in thin strips
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ½ tablespoon sesame oil

Preparation:

1. Toss together and refrigerate. Before serving, top with 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds (optional).

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

• Calories - 73
• Fat - 2 grams
• Saturated Fat - 0 grams
• Carbohydrate - 13 grams
• Dietary Fiber - 3 grams
• Sodium - 330 milligrams