Black-Eyed Pea Soup (updated)

This is one of my personal favorite comfort foods. It's so delicious with a big slice of hot cornbread & butter.

I soak the beans overnight Nourishing Traditions -style (covered in water and 1-2 Tbs. whey for boosted nutrition), then drain and add to the crock-pot.

1 lb. Dried black-eyed peas

½ lb. Smoked ham, cubed

4 carrots, sliced

3 stalks of celery, sliced

crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

2 small bay leaves

2 Tbs. bacon bits

½ tsp. thyme

¼ tsp. black pepper

8 cups hot water

Add above ingredients to crock-pot and cook on LOW for 8 hours. 
Then saute in some olive oil:

1 med. Onion, diced
1 head of collard greens, chopped (optional)

Add to crock-pot and continue cooking for another hour on low. 
Just before serving, add:

1 tsp. salt

⅓ cup minced fresh parsley

*Serve with cornbread.

Barbeque Drumsticks

2 pkgs. chicken drumsticks (approx. 2 lbs. each)
1 onion, chopped
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs. honey

Saute diced onion in olive oil until translucent, then add to crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients.
Cook on LOW for 5-7 hours or until chicken is cooked through.

Sweet Potato Minestrone

Add to crock-pot in this order:

2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 celery stalks, chopped
3-4 carrots, chopped
5-6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled & diced
2 cups cooked navy beans
1 Tbs. + 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cans diced tomatoes
7 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, then add:

1 bag frozen green beans

Set crock-pot to warm and cook 1-2 more hours.

Hearty Green Soup

2 lbs. green split peas, soaked overnight
enough water to cover the peas by 1 inch
1 large diced onion
1 Tbs. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, then add:

4 large stalks of celery, diced
1 whole cabbage, chopped
4-5 carrots, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbs. nutritional yeast
2 tsp. onion powder

Cook on LOW for 3 more hours. Serve with a splash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos and a dallop of sour cream. Enjoy with bread.

All Day Chana Dahl Soup

1 1/2 lbs. pre-soaked chana dahl
9 cups water or chicken stock
3 celery stalks, diced
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 Tbs. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 Tbs. Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 Tbs. curry powder

Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours. In the last hour, add:

1 bag frozen cut-leaf spinach

Top with mozzarella cheese or Greek yogurt. Serve with buttered toast.

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

1 1/2 lbs. soaked black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
4 carrots, diced
1/4 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 bay leaves
pinch of red pepper flakes
5 cups beef broth
1 can pumpkin puree
3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

Add to crock-pot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Then remove 2 cups of beans, puree in a blender, & add back to soup. Serve with a dallop of sour cream.

*Adapted from this recipe.

Navy Bean Stew

3 cups dry navy or Great Northern beans, soaked & rinsed
6 cups. water
2 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped

Add all to crock-pot and set to LOW. Cook for 4 hours. Then add:

1 lb. browned ground Italian sausage
6 carrots, sliced
1 bag frozen corn
1/2 Tbs. parsley
1 Tbs. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. fennel seeds (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

Cook on LOW for another 1-2 hours.