Recipe for Herbed Halibut Steaks over White Beans with Tomatoes

If you'd like to get a healthy, simple, and delicious meal on the table in under 20 minutes, I've got the recipe for you.  Check the source for your fish and be sure it is coming from a sustainable source and if you can't get fresh fish, look for flash frozen sustainable fish at high quality grocery stores in the freezer section.

We loved this simple dinner!

Servings: 2
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 halibut steaks
• 1 can white beans, drained
• 1 can (good quality) chopped tomatoes
• Mixed herb seasoning (I used Kirkland Brand Organic No Salt Seasoning)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil, finely chopped

Method:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a baking pan with parchment.
• Sprinkle olive oil and herb mixture over parchment and over both sides of fish.
• Bake fish for 7-8 minutes, until beginning to flake (don't overcook).
• While fish bakes, heat together the beans and tomatoes, with salt and pepper to taste.
• When beans and tomatoes are heated and ready to serve, stir in basil.
• Serve fish over bean/tomato mix.

Printable recipe

Recipe for Black Bean Salad

This is a great side dish for chicken fajitas. If you don't want to bother roasting the peppers, I've also made this successfully using store bought roasted red peppers.

Recipe for Smoky Fried Chickpeas

Hummus is one of those things you'll always find in our fridge.  But other than that, I'm not a big fan of chickpeas.  I have tried them on salads, in casseroles etc. and I'll eat them but they don't wow me.    These smoky fried chickpeas, however, WOW!

Recipe for Black Eyed Pea Hummus

This recipe was in the group of "top recipes" for 2011 based on page views.  I posted it after New Years but thought I would re-post again this year before the holiday since it was a popular recipe.  


Growing up in the South, black eyed peas, usually with some greens, were a staple on New Years Day, served to bring us all good luck.  They are also recorded as being served on Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year, also to bring good luck.  Honestly, I was never a big fan of black eyed peas.  But I love hummus and this one is really delicious.  If it brings us good luck, even more reason to try it!

Recipe for Salsa Turkey Pasta

Mr. ELEB is training for a half marathon and wanted a bit more carbs in some of our meals.  We both like whole grain pasta so I created another baked pasta recipe inspired by my December Secret Recipe Club recipe.

Recipe for White Bean and Salmon Burgers

The photo didn't turn out very well (they really weren't burned) but this white bean and salmon appetizer did!   I made the bite sized ones for an appetizer to take to a dinner party and then Mr. ELEB and I had "regular" sized patties the following night for dinner.  Great both ways!

Recipe for Indian Spiced Beans

A few months ago I saw a couple of mentions of the Secret Recipe Club but didn’t really have time to look into exactly what it was all about.  Until now.  How it works in a nutshell is you sign up to join and are assigned a different blog each month (from another participating blogger).  Once you receive your assignment, you choose any recipe to make from that blog.  The secret part is that participating bloggers don’t know who is cooking from their blog or what is being made until the assigned day. 

Today is the day, and I am featuring a recipe from the blog Beantown Baker.  Jen is the author and lives in Boston with her hubby and two cats.  She loves to bake as you could probably guess but also features other recipes on her blog.  Since Mr. ELEB and I are still trying to recover (ie lose the weight we gained) from our (not so) recent SF/NY/Atlanta trip, and because I’m trying to cook more Indian food, I chose this interesting bean recipe rather than one of her delicious sounding desserts.  However, I’d encourage you to check out Jen’s blog for some decadent cupcakes!

Yield: 3 servings

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup light coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Method:

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over med-high heat.
• Add onion and sauté until translucent.
• Stir in the minced garlic and garam masala.
• Cook for one minute. 
• Stir in the beans, tomatoes, ginger, and salt.
• Simmer for fifteen minutes. 
• Pour in coconut milk.
• Heat until warmed.
• Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

This is a great, quick recipe for when you want something flavorful but easy to put together, especially if you are on an Indian food kick like I am!  I stayed pretty true to the original recipe.  I used cannellini rather than pinto beans but as Jen noted, any bean will work.  I also omitted the small amount of sugar in the original recipe, used fresh instead of ground ginger, and used light instead of regular coconut milk. 

Check out all the other recipes that were made as part of the Secret Recipe Club.  I can’t wait to see what someone picked to make from Eat Little, Eat Big!  

Printable Recipe

Recipe for Ground Turkey, Black Beans and Rice Mexican Casserole

Staring at a package of ground turkey breast, I was pretty uninspired...until I remembered reading about a chicken and black bean casserole Jenny recently posted on her blog, Picky Palate.  I love food bloggers!  I changed things up a pretty good bit and loved the results. 

Recipe for Mediterranean Crunch Salad

Here’s a healthy and hearty salad that serves a crowd.  It is modified slightly from a Whole Foods recipe.  I used chard instead of kale and made a basil-feta dressing instead of just dressing it with red wine vinegar.  It definitely needs the dressing for my tastes.  This keeps well for several days in the fridge.

Recipe for Azwain Seasoned White Beans with Roasted Red Peppers and Salmon

Mr. ELEB asked for "something light" for dinner the other night.  We're both doing pretty good with our diet and exercise plan after the excesses of the recent trip and this meal, adapted from a Mark Bittman recipe, hit the spot.

Recipe for White Bean and Veggie Salad

Looking for easy ways to get more veggies in your diet?  Try this salad made with assorted crunchy veggies and creamy white beans.  Full of fiber and flavor!

Makes 4 generous servings, each approximately 191 calories, 1.2 grams fat, 36 grams carbs, 8 grams fiber, 11 grams protein; 5 WW Points+

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked and cooled white beans (canned would also work, rinsed and drained)

¾ cup finely chopped red pepper

¾ cup finely chopped cucumber (seeds removed)

¾ cup finely chopped carrot

1 cup finely chopped tomatoes (seeds removed)

2 TBSP pesto yogurt sauce

1 TBSP each chopped fresh dill and basil (or whatever herbs you have)

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Combine all ingredients and serve chilled.

How are you getting your daily veggie servings in?



Printable Recipe

Recipe for Turkey Sausage, Rice and Beans Soup



As part of my attempt to do more prep work on the weekends to make eating healthy more likely during the week, I had soaked and cooked some cannellini and black beans.  I used them along with some left over brown rice and veggies, Italian turkey sausage and fresh herbs to whip together a quick, healthy and filling soup.  This made enough for the two of us for 2 meals plus plenty for the freezer.

Recipe for Rosemary White Bean Crostini



Here’s a healthy and quick appetizer or snack that is sure to please.  The rosemary, wine and shallots play very nicely together.  I used my new favorite healthy baguette recipe for the bread.

Makes about 2 cups of dip, approximately 83 calories, 0.8 grams fat, 13 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 4.3 grams protein, 2 WW Points+, per ¼ cup

Bread: approximately 21 calories, 0.1 grams fat, 4.25 grams carbs, 0.5 grams fiber, 1 grams protein, 1 WW Points+ per ½ of thin slice

Recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Verde



We had a hankering recently for Mexican but wanted something different than our “go to” of chicken fajitas, and pork shoulder roasts were on sale.  A popular recipe that was floating around during my South Beach days was Chicken Escondido, a delicious chicken cooked on the stove top in salsa verde, tomatoes and black beans.  So I thought I’d use some of the components of that recipe in the slow cooker with the pork.  I’ve never cooked a pork shoulder roast in the slow cooker but have read lots about how tender and flavorful the meat is so I thought I’d give it a try.  Muy bueno!

Recipe for Quick and Easy Pantry "Succotash" and Rice

After yesterday’s “Big Eats” veggie dish, it was time to get back to basics.  This is a great stand by when you want something simple or just don’t feel like cooking much but want something tasty and filling.  It isn't a true or conventional succotash as I use edamame instead of lima beans and there is no corn (but you could easily add it in!).

Makes 4 servings, each approximately 145 calories, 2 grams fat, 25 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 7.5 grams protein, 4 WW Points+

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice (leftovers or, as I used, steam bag)

1 cup shelled edamame

1 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes with garlic

½ cup canned fire roasted green chiles

1 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Cook edamame per package directions.  Warm tomatoes and chiles together.  Season with cumin.  Drain cooked edamame and add to tomato/chile mixture.

Serve veggies with warm rice.

Do you have a quick and easy side dish?

Printable Recipe

Recipe for Rosemary White Bean Chicken

I’m so happy to finally have some herbs growing in my garden (don’t hate me those of you in winter climates!).  The rosemary is by the front door steps so I’ve been patiently waiting for it to get established, longing to cut some every time I pass by.  I decided it was time!

Slowcooker Cuban Beans and Rice

Extra post today! My blogging friend Steph at The Cheapskate Cook asked me to participate in her Beans and Rice series.  Check out her blog for some frugal recipes and tips!  Here was my contribution-Cuban Beans and Rice cooked in the slowcooker.