Pear/15 recipes

When you’re short on time and you’re in need of something nutritious, then this 15 minute vegan mapo tofu will certainly satisfy your taste buds. This is an authentic Sichuan style mapo tofu which is both spicy and aromatic.

If you forgot to make dessert, then surprise your family with this scrumptious cheesecake that's sweet to the touch.

Pear Harlequin recipe

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.

This is the second recipe I'll post tonight--promised it to AH earlier tonight. My mother found this recipe 35 or so years ago in a magazine and it has become a family favorite. For years she only made it at Thanksgiving until I took over the baking reigns in the family; now she makes it more often especially when my brother, Lewis, is going to be in.

Classic rich cheesecake studded with mini chocolate chips.

Try serving this with softened vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, or with cinnamon whipped cream. To make the latter, whip some heavy cream with a pinch of cinnamon. You can serve the tart warm or at room temperature. Wrap in plastic and keep overnight at room temperature. Or refrigerate for longer storage.

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.

Family physician Dr. Lisa Vincent loves servings up this healthy and delicious soup recipe to her family. Adding a dollop of low-fat yogurt at the end not only helps cool the soup down, but also makes it creamy and delicious.

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.