Fall/15 recipes

An easy yet tasty black bean salad that has corn, cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers and pumpin seeds, is tossed with a light and refreshing vinaigrette.

I created this recipe to use leftover holiday turkey. It's a classic bound salad using mayonnaise and celery, but it also includes fresh cranberries, orange juice and cashews. Although new to our menu, it has become a holiday favorite. My family requests I make my own turkey before Thanksgiving so I can serve this salad as an appetizer at our holiday feast. I hope you will find it as enjoyable as we do. Enjoy it on rolls, in wraps, or as a spread with crackers

Classic rich cheesecake studded with mini chocolate chips.

Note: 15 bean mixtures are available packaged in supermarkets and health food stores. If you prefer, make your own by combining equal amounts of dried blackeyed peas, red kidney beans, white kidney beans (cannellini), green lentils, split peas, black beans, yellow split peas, navy beans, cranberry (Roman, shell, or shell out) beans, great Northern beans, pinto beans, small white limas, red lentils, cow peas (field peas), and pink beans. Avoid using beans such as garbanzos and large lima beans, as these take longer to cook than other varities.

Asparagus, tofu, and bell pepper are stir-fried in a Chinese based garlic-ginger-soy sauce. It's packed with deliciousness and goodness.

It might seem a little odd, but this soup is so flavorful and easy to make! My daughter even loves it :) 3 simple ingredients that's it. 1 bag 15 bean soup dry (rinse and soak in pot of water overnight) 1 can of Rotel (I use mild for a little kick) 1 packet of dry ranch dressing mix. Soak beans overnight, then bring beans and about 6-8 cups water to a boil. Add can of Rotel and ranch mix to pot and simmer for 2-3 hours.

Succulent chicken breast is served on top of salad greens, fresh herbs and gorgonzola cheese tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette.

Steamed halibut, onion, bok choy and shiitake mushrooms are drizzled with garlic-ginger-soy based vinaigrette. Refreshing and delicious.