EASY is the key! (And Vegetarian)

Happy New Year! In 2019 that means more fish, more vegetables, and hopefully less time. In my zeal to improve quality and efficiency I found 2 recipes that were well liked, and kind of easy to make.

5 Ingredient Black Bean Soup (adapted from gimmesomeoven.com)

2 15 oz cans black beans (with liquid)
1 lb. container of fresh salsa
2 t. cumin
1/2 c. cilantro
1 garlic clove minced

Additional ingredients I had in the fridge:
fresh tomatoes chopped
leftover sauteed onions and peppers from fajitas


Combine all the ingredients and heat until simmering. Once bubbling reduce heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Before serving, I used an immersion blender to break up some of the beans. Served with sour cream and cheese.


Easy Vegetarian-ish Chili (adapted from Simply Recipes)
This one reminded me of that woman's cookbook who hid vegetables in food by chopping it up real fine -- I made this last night and it is MADE WITH MUSHROOMS! But #3 son ate it without complaint. It's really good...

8 oz. baby bella mushrooms chopped in food processor v. fine
1 medium onion finely chopped in the food processor
1 green pepper, chopped by hand
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped by hand
3 cloves garlic minced
2 cans fire roasted tomatoes
3 c. broth (I used beef, thus the "ish" -- it was all I had)
1/2 c. bulgur wheat
2 cans kidney beans (drained)

Spices:
1 1/2 T. chili powder
1 1/2 t. oregano
1 1/2 t. cumin
1/4 t. smoked paprika
pinch of cinnamon
1T + 1t. brown sugar

Best practice would be to chop everything first, and have it all ready to dump into the pot at the appointed time (I didn't do this, so it was a bit more chaotic when I created this dish).

Put oil in your Dutch Oven and cook the mushrooms for about 7 minutes (add salt and pepper to taste)
Next, add the onion, green pepper, jalapeno, garlic and all the spices EXCEPT the brown sugar
Cook for 8 minutes
Add the brown sugar, stir to incorporate, cook another minute or so
Add the tomatoes and broth; stir; put the pot on the lid and bring to a boil (around 5 minutes)
Once boiling, stir in bulgur wheat and let chili simmer for about 12 minutes
Add the beans, and continue simmering for 10 minutes