1 tablespoon butter
19 ounces canned navy or romano beans
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons raisins
1 teaspoon allspice
salt and pepper

1. Heat butter in a saucepan, then stir in the beans, brown sugar, water, raisins and allspice. Heat through and season to
2. ste with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 servings

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium leek, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup dried navy beans, soaked overnight
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper

1. Place olive oil, carrots, leek and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. When leeks start to soften, add the broth, beans and bay leaf and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered until beans are tender, about an hour and a half. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 6 servings

4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ginger puree
3 cups water
3/4 cup red lentils
salt and pepper

1. Heat oil with garlic and onions in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook until onions are tender, then stir in tomato paste, paprika and ginger.
2. Add water, bring mixture to a boil, then add the lentils. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered until tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 red chilies, chopped
3 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon ginger puree
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 large sweet potato, peeled and grated
1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
2 stalks lemongrass
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup cooked chick peas
1 cup coconut milk
salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot and add the chilies, shallot, garlic and ginger, sautéing until tender.
2. Stir in the curry paste, chili powder and turmeric, then add the grated sweet potato and carrot, as well as lemongrass. Add water until the vegetables are just covered and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the stalks of lemongrass and add chick peas. Puree with a hand blender or other, then add the coconut milk.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with a small slice of lime.

Makes 4 servings

2 cups green beans, trimmed and Frenched
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper
water

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Bring water to a boil and lightly steam the green beans until crisp-tender.
3. Arrange green beans in an oven proof casserole dish and cover with zucchini slices.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat and then whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute.
5. Gradually add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until sauce thickens, then remove from the heat.
6. Stir the garlic and lemon juice into the white sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

2 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon whole allspice
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 whole green cardamom pods
2 whole black cardamom pods
12 whole cloves
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons turmeric
1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large white onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lamb, sliced
5 ounces tomato paste
12 cups chicken broth
19 ounces canned chickpeas
1 cup yellow split peas or lentils
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon harissa

1. Lightly toast cumin seed in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, then combine with rest of spice mixture into a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until fine. Set aside.
2. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Lightly brown the onions, then add the garlic, stirring to combine.
3. Stir in the prepared spice mixture, lamb and tomato paste, then add the chicken broth, raise heat and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until lamb is very tender, about an hour and a half.
5. Add the chickpeas, lentils and cilantro and cook until tender, about another hour.
6. When soup is ready to be served, beat eggs with lemon juice and stir in the harissa. Blend a tablespoon or two into a serving of soup to serve.

Makes 6 servings

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1/2 cup green beans, 1" pieces
1 large carrot, halved and sliced
4 cups vegetable broth
8 ounces diced tomatoes
4 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 sprig thyme, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
19 ounces cooked red kidney beans
19 ounces cooked cannellini beans
3 ounces shell pasta
salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, zucchini, green beans and carrot and sauté until onion is tender.
2. Add the vegetable broth, tomatoes and tomato juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add parsley, thyme, basil, oregano and sage. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in the beans and pasta and cook until pasta is tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread.

Makes 8 servings

1 tablespoon butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 pound green beans, trimmed
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon
salt and pepper

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until tender.
2. Add the beans to the skillet and coat with shallot butter. Sauté until bright green.
3. Stir in the wine and garlic and cook until beans are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Stir in the tarragon and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
19 ounces canned black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tablespoons plain yogurt

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, then stir in the garlic, beans, tomato, cayenne and cilantro.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Top with yogurt and serve with rice or other starch.

Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 small red pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cumin seed
3 red chilies, chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 pound turkey, cooked and shredded
1/2 cup lentils
1 small red pepper, chopped
10 ounces tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sour cream
salt and pepper

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the oil, onion and red pepper, sautéing until tender.
2. Stir in the garlic, cumin, chilies, paprika and oregano and cook for a minute.
3. Add the turkey, lentils, tomatoes and water and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook covered until lentils are tender, about 1 hour. Add additional water if necessary.
4. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in sour cream. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley or cilantro, if desired.

Makes 4 servings