Moroccan Spiced Red Lentil Soup

2 Tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
2 large onions, diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp sweet paprika
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
7 cups vegetable broth
1 can crushed tomatoes (I used a jar of tomato pasta sauce and 5 cut up tomatoes)
2 cups drived red lentils, washed and rinsed
pinch of red-pepper flakes
juice of 1 lemon
3 Tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (I opted out of this one)

1. Heat olive oil in dutch oven or sauce pan on medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic, coriander, cumin, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and cook for another minute.  Add the broth and tomatoes and heat to boiling. Pour the mixture into a 5-6 quart slow cooker.  Stir in lentils, cover the cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low, until lentils are tender OR use a large pot on the stove and simmer for 2 to 3 hours.  (this is what I did) For the last 10 minutes, stir in the pepper flakes, lemon juice, parsley, and cilantro.  Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Blackbean Cornbread Casserole

We loved this one topped with hot sauce. Such an awesome comfort food.

Bean Mixture

1 small carrot, diced

1/2 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, chopped fine

1 small zucchini, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

2 tbsp. oil

1.5 cups cooked black beans

1/2 cup crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup water, broth, or bean liquid if you cooked your own beans

 

Sauté carrot, onion, garlic, zucchini, and pepper in oil until onion is translucent and carrots are cooked through.

Add black beans and tomatoes to vegetables cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.

Mash the vegetable bean mixture until few whole beans remain.

Add enough liquid to retain some moisture (mixture should not be runny) and should resemble refried beans.

Place mixture in a crock or glass cooking dish and sit to the side.

 

Cornbread Topping

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/3 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup flax milk or almond milk

1 tbsp. oil

1 tbsp. maple syrup

 

Combine dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.

 

Top the bean mixture with the cornbread topping and put the dish in the preheated oven. Bake dish for 35-40 minutes at 400F, or until cornbread is cooked through. Cut into wedges and serve.