What Is It About Soup and A Cold, Rainy Day?

Project 36Smile!

What do you do when you are running low on groceries—meaning no meat among other things—and it's close to dinner time?

This my friends is what we call improvise! And that I did!

After several years of cooking, watching my mom and grandma cook, perfecting my craft—as my husband would call it— reading health books and getting my health certification, I feel like I know what I'm doing in the kitchen.

Last night was proof!

There was no meat, like at all. I never let that happen. But some how it happened this week. Where else can you get protein? From beans! Any and all kinds. That's what you want the basis of your meal to be, is protein—it keeps you fuller for longer—and vegetables of course.

I started a pot of low sodium petite diced tomatoes with olive oil and basil; mixed in black beans and cannelini white beans (low sodium, washed and drained) and chicken stock. You can add any left over veggies you have, canned tomato sauce, etc. I also added cumin which is a great complement whenever you are cooking with black beans. That goes the same for basil and tomatoes.

Bring that to a boil and let it simmer for about 30 mins to let all the flavors absorb.

Then I added whole what penne pasta, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 more minutes, then it's ready to eat!

Serve with a side salad. Mine had romaine lettuce, spinach, carrots, sugar snap peas, fat-free feta cheese and olive oil and vinegar.

This meal was so rich, hearty and full of flavor that my husband and I were not missing the meat at all.  And he is a big meat eater so this was a big deal. I loved all the different flavors we got from the beans and tomatoes. It tasted like a soup my grandma would make. And on a cold, rainy Seattle day it was perfect. It makes great leftovers to take to work the next day.

I think we will be having a meatless meal every week. Meatless Mondays or Mac-n-Cheese Mondays anyone? Stay tune for a low-fat, still full of flavor when Mac Met Cheese recipe.

Have a family recipe that's been passed down or a recipe you've perfected? Send 'em my way!

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about and sharing memories that make her smile 365 days of this year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it! The "S" in 36Smile resembles the "5" in 365 days a year.