Split Pea Soup

I think I've mentioned this before, but my husband is highly allergic to beans. Even cross contamination  in restaurants can cause a reaction. However, we discovered this year (by accident) that he's not allergic to lentils...go figure!! I'm already sick of lentils since we eat them about twice a week, so tonight I made homemade split pea soup (They look similar to lentils, right?) and he didn't have an allergic reaction to them. 

Ingredients:

2 cups dried split peas
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 chopped white or yellow onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
salt and black pepper to taste
1 or 2 pinch(es) red pepper flakes
2 pinches smoked paprika
1 or two pinch(es) thyme
6 cups hot water (or vegetable broth)
1 Tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1) Rinse and sort split peas.

2) In a Dutch oven, saute onions in olive oil.

3) Add all other ingredients.

4) Bring peas to a boil, cover, and reduce heat.

5) Simmer for 30-45 minutes until peas get soft.

6) Use a potato masher to break soup mixture down so that it's not quite as chunky.

7) Taste and add more salt, pepper, red pepper if needed. 

Serve with garlic bread. 

Healthier A-Z Bread

I discovered a recipe for A-Z bread in a recipe exchange at work this year. The recipe from Taste of Home is delicious, but I've put a healthier twist on it for my family. Changes I've made to the recipe are highlighted below.

• 2 cups palm sugar
• 1/2 cup safflower oil & 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 3  organic, cage free eggs, lightly beaten (or egg substitute if you're vegan)
• 2 cups A to Z ingredients (choose from list on above link)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup organic, unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups organic, whole wheat flour 
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon (The original recipe calls for 2 tsp. which is a little strong to me.)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or other nuts

The choices of A-Z ingredients and recipe directions are listed in the link above. Combinations we like include

• 1 banana, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, 1 cup additional apple sauce, or
• 1 cup organic grated apple (I don't remove the peel) with 1 cup pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), or
• 1 banana, 1 cup grated zucchini (I grate it with peel on), and 1/2 cup additional apple sauce. 

What are your favorite combinations?