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Black Bean Spinach Baked Quesadillas | alidaskitchen.com

Black Bean Spinach Baked Quesadillas

An easy recipe for cheesy, vegetable-packed Black Bean Spinach Baked Quesadillas baked right in the oven – no flipping required! 

Thank you to CansGetYouCooking.com through the Mom It Forward Blogger Network for sponsoring this post.

Black Bean Spinach Baked Quesadillas | alidaskitchen.com

We have a few recipes we make on a regular basis that the kids love (Taco Pasta Salad, Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake, Lighter Baked Tortellini and Stove Top Spinach Mac & Cheese, to name a few). While we keep the ingredients for some (or all) on hand at all times, somehow this past weekend, we discovered our cupboards were bare!…

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Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas | alidaskitchen.com

Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas #SundaySupper

Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas are stuffed with black beans, corn, spinach, made with three cups of cheese and covered in an easy-to-make homemade enchilada sauce. {vegetarian, gluten free}

Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas | alidaskitchen.com

This recipe for Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas has been a family favorite for years. From the traditional combination of black beans and corn to the deliciously surprising addition of spinach to the three full cups of shredded cheese that everybody loves, this recipe is always a crowd pleaser. Even better is that it can be made ahead and leftovers reheat well….

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Mexican Quinoa Skillet | alidaskitchen.com

Mexican Quinoa Skillet

Mexican Quinoa Skillet is an easy, one-pot meal using common pantry ingredients, made in less than 30 minutes.  {vegan, gluten free}  Thank you to CansGetYouCooking.com through the Mom It Forward Blogger Network for sponsoring this post.

Mexican Quinoa Skillet | alidaskitchen.com

Move over frozen pizza, pasta and take-out!  We have a new easy weeknight dinner solution that is delicious, quick to make and healthy too. This Mexican Quinoa Skillet has become my new go-to dinner for busy nights,…or lunches or any time really, because it’s just so good and my kids love it!…

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Black Bean Corn Edamame Salad | alidaskitchen.com

Black Bean Corn Edamame Salad

Black Bean Corn Edamame Salad is a little spicy, packed with vegetables and protein, and tastes delicious!  Thank you to Pompeian for sponsoring this post as part of the Pantry Insiders program. Black Bean Corn Edamame Salad | alidaskitchen.com

 

With the holiday season quickly approaching, I like to have healthy, easy recipes on hand for easy lunches and quick weeknight dinners.  This Black Bean Corn Edamame Salad is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that are naturally flavorful.   This salad is delicious for a light meal yet can be made heartier with the addition of cooked quinoa (I use 2 cups cooked for this recipe) or shredded rotisserie chicken. This salad recipe is very flexible and the ingredients can be adjusted to taste….

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Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes | alidaskitchen.com

Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are filled with corn, black beans, Greek yogurt, tomatoes with chiles and more! Kick off the New Year in a healthy way with these nutritional powerhouses!

Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potato | alidaskitchen.com

After spending most of December in a butter and sugar coma, I always look forward to January. The start of the new year always inspires me to focus back on healthier recipes, including lots of fruits and vegetables. Ever since the summer, I have wanted to make a Corn and Black Bean Salad. What I had in mind was a healthy vegetable-rich salad taking advantage of the bounty of summer garden produce. I never got around to making it, so just slotted it for next summer. Then it occurred to me – why wait until summer when I have the garden essentials I need already in my pantry with Del Monte® vegetables and tomatoes!…

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vegetarian black bean tortilla soup with corn that is vegan and gluten free

Chunky Tortilla Soup with Black Beans

vegetarian black bean tortilla soup with corn that is vegan and gluten free
We have had the good fortune of enjoying unseasonably warm weather over the past few weeks, and it has been fabulous.  In fact, I even considered firing up the grill.  Of course a brisk, windy day, along with temperatures in the single digits, set me straight.  I went back to craving wintery comfort foods, and this Chunky Tortilla Soup with Black Beans is the epitome of wintery comfort food.  It’s warm, a little spicy and filled with vegetables.

From the original recipe, I used tomatoes with chiles, added more vegetables and increased the chili powder.  This soup reheats beautifully, though over time the broth gets absorbed making it almost like a chili.  I like it that way, but if you prefer your soup more soupy, I recommend adding some broth or water when reheating.  Chunky Tortilla Soup with Black Beans is a healthy and delicious soup, and perfect to enjoy this winter!

vegetarian black bean tortilla soup with corn that is vegan and gluten free
Chunky Tortilla Soup with Black Beans
 
Yields: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced (or grated)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 cans (14½ ounces each) diced tomates with green chiles, including juices
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4-6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 10 ounces frozen corn
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips, plus more for serving (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and chili powder and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
  2. Add tomatoes (with juice), beans, broth, spinach and corn; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Bring soup to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add tortilla chips, cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Serve soup with lime wedges and more chips.
Notes
Adapted from Everyday Food Light

Vegetable and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

Back when I was working outside the home, I brought my lunch every day.  I usually brought a peanut butter sandwich, pizza or leftovers from dinner the previous night.  Occasionally I brought an organic microwavable meal.  While not an ideal option, I could prounounce all of the ingredients, it was quick and convenient.  It was also pretty tasty too.  One of my more recent favorites was Black Bean Tortilla Casserole.  

I don’t have much of a need for microwaveable meals these days now that I stay at home with Adam. So when I saw a recipe for Mushroom and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole, I was pretty excited to recreate the convenience food I enjoyed and make it a healthier option. 

The original recipe looked like it could use a little sprucing up, so I added spinach, onion, used more garlic and changed up the spices.   I love the additional vegetables in this dish.  It’s a lighter and healthier option, and is also quick and easy to prepare.  Leftovers reheat nicely…which I guess sort of makes it a microwavable meal, only better!  

Vegetable and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
Yields 6 servings
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
8 corn tortillas, warmed and halved
2 cups salsa
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onions and mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned (about 7 minutes). 
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic and chili powder, stir for 1 minute. 
  4. Add black beans and spinach and stir to combine.  Cook until beans are warmed through (about 2 minutes).  Remove from heat.
  5. Arrange 5 tortilla halves in baking dish.  Top with half of the bean mixture and 1/2 cup salsa, then sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese.  Repeat with another layer of bean mixture, salsa and cheese.  Top with remaining tortilla halves, salsa and cheese. 
  6. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes or until center is hot and cheese melts.  Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, 5 minutes OR if your dish is broiler-safe, put under the broiler until cheese is bubbling and browned.

Adapted from Everyday Food, January/February, 2011