Garden Dippers

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 lime
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp cumin
crushed pretzels or nuts (optional)
baby carrots
fresh cilantro leaves
1.  Pour the beans into a blender or food processor.  Squeeze in the juice from the lime and add the spices.
2.  Blend until smooth.  Scoop into small cups and sprinkle the crushed pretzels on top.
3.  Carefully poke a knife or skewer into the top of each carrot and twist to make a small hole. Insert a cilantro leaf into the hole.  Then stick the carrots into the "dirt" leaf-side up.

Note:  Introduced by Kierstin from The Friend magazine.

Cocoa Bean Dip

Strain and rinse well one16 oz can black beans.  Blend until smooth with 1 T water, 1/3 C honey, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 C cocoa powder and 2 tsp coconut oil (optional).

Serve with crackers, pretzels, strawberries, bananas or apples slices for dipping.

Note:  First introduced by Kierstin from The Friend magazine.

Bacon Potato Chowder

Ingredients:
6 strips bacon
1 large carrot, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 large onion, diced
salt and pepper
32 oz. chicken broth
1 bag (1.5 lb.) petite gold potatoes, quartered
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
16 oz heavy cream
2 C shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bacon on baking sheet. Cook 12 to 15 minutes until crispy, reserving bacon drippings. Let bacon cool. Chop into bite-size pieces.

Heat 2 Tb. reserved bacon drippings in large stockpot over high heat. Saute carrot, celery and onion 10 minutes until softened. Season with salt and pepper.

Add broth, potatoes, basil and oregano. Simmer 25 minutes until potatoes are for-tender. Add cream and cheese.  Cook 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Serve immediately, garnishing with bacon and green onions.

Recipe was a Feature Recipe in Smith's coupon booklet.

Creamy Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 small shallot, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
5 C chicken broth
14 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 tsp kosher sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
6 oz. chopped fresh spinach
2 C half & half

Directions:
1. In a large stockpot set over medium-high , cook the sausage until browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel lined plate; set aside.

2. Add onion, shallot and carrot, saute for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and saute  for an additional 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add in the chicken broth, whisk to combine. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 6 minutes.

4. Pat as much grease as possible off of the sausage, then add it along with the tortellini, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, spinach, and half & half. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the tortellini is fully cooked.

5. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan, if desired.

Recipe from lifemadesimplebakes.com