Meatless Monday Blog Hop #1

Happy Monday, everyone! (or, maybe it's not such a happy Monday for some of us...)

Today I am hosting my first recipe blog hop, and encourage you to contribute a vegetarian recipe, and by vegetarian I mean free of any meat products. It can be for an entree, an appetizer, a snack, a dessert- whatever you want, as long as it's meat-free! This is to coincide with and support the Meatless Monday initiative which encourages healthy and sustainable eating.

Here's my recipe for Meatless Monday: Cuban-style Black Bean Soup. Enjoy!

Cuban-style Black Bean Soup

(adapted from this blog)

makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 medium white onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 cup vegetable stock

1 cup water

3 cups cooked and drained black beans

1/2 cup salsa

2-3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Sour cream, lime wedges and shredded cheese for garnish

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat for a few minutes, then add the onion and garlic and saute for about three minutes or until fragrant. Next add the peppers and stir-fry until the colors of the peppers brighten and they are fragrant. Stir in the salsa, paprika and cumin last and stir-fry for another minute, then add the beans and combine well.

Next, add the water and broth and bring to a boil. Add the salt and pepper and any extra seasoning to taste. Bring down to a low simmer and cook until taste is to your liking, for about another 10-15 minutes. Serve immediately with a spoonful of sour cream, squirt of lime, and some shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, if desired.

I had some leftovers with a baked yam and it was a very tasty combination

We love beans in my house; when I was a vegetarian they were a staple in my diet. Lily has always been a big fan of them, especially black beans, so she had no problem delighting in this meal. Do keep in mind, though, that this soup causes flatulence with the amount of beans and peppers it contains. You've been warned!

In addition, black beans have plenty of health benefits as well, including cardiovascular support, digestive support, and blood sugar regulating properties.  They also contain a large amount of folate and dietary fiber. With such versatility and their cheap price tag, black beans are a perfect addition to any course.

Do you have a great meatless meal? Link it up here! Only rules are to follow your hostess, and check out some of the other entries. Be sure to leave a comment so they know you stopped by!