Guacamole Salad

This is a recipe I’ve made several times and find myself craving it if I haven’t made it for a while.  It has just the right amount of heat.  Combine all the ingredients and add the avocado, taking this salad over the top to creamy deliciousness.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup small diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

Directions

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.

Just before you’re ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.

Source:  Ina Garten

Black Bean Turkey Chili

As much as possible I try to eat healthy and this turkey chili is a fantastic healthy option to beef chili.  I love the taste of this chili and healthy options aside, I think it tastes so much better than beef chili!  This is another recipe that freezes well and can easily be defrosted for a quick week-night meal.  Enjoy!

The recipe is below or can be found here.

Jennie-O Biggest Loser Black Bean Turkey Chili

1 (20-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (16-ounce) cans low-sodium whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 (16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
8 ounce tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 tablespoons low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
In a large stockpot, combine turkey, onion, red pepper, garlic, jalapeño peppers, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, marjoram, red pepper flakes and cinnamon.
Cook mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Serve topped with cheese.

Makes 6 servings.