Quick and Easy

I am not a planner.  I admire those people (notice I didn't say those people, I really am being sincere) who sit down with a calendar and plan meals for a week or (incredibly) a month.  Sadly, I do not operate that way.  There are far too many days that find me trying to decide what to make for dinner at four or five o'clock.  This was not such a problem six months ago.  At that time I could just throw together a convenience food filled meal.  Hotdogs and baked beans?  Ready in five minutes!  Pizza (a quarter without cheese for my dairy intolerant son)?  Thirty minutes or less!
Meals aren't quite so quick and easy any more.  Like it or not, I have to do some planning.  Convenience foods are largely off our menu.  The kids probably wouldn't mind eating home made "granola" every night for dinner, but my husband might.
Personality flaws demand that I have a few quick and easy meals in my arsenal.  Meals that can swoop in and rescue me from procrastination.  The recipe that follows is one of my current favorites in the category of: "Oh crap!  I forgot to make dinner again!" 

Quick Black Bean Soup

1/2 cup onion

2 garlic cloves

oil of choice (I use coconut)

2 can Reduced Sodium Black Beans rinsed and drained

2 cans  Rotel Tomatoes Update: If you prefer your soup less tomato-y, omit one can, instead sautee 1/4 c red pepper with onions and garlic

Chicken Stock

1 T Cumin

Splash of Lime Juice

Sautee onions and garlic in medium soup pot until soft. Add Beans, Rotel and your preferred amount of stock (See note).  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Add cumin and splash of lime.  Serve with tortilla chips and avocado. 

Note:  This soup is so versatile!  Have extra time?  Add carrots and celery and with the onions and garlic. Cook until the carrots are tender before adding cumin and lime juice.  If you like a thinner soup add more chicken stock.  You won't need too much, probably 1- 1 1/2 cups.  Or skip the stock and eat as a warm salsa. Like a thicker soup?  Put half of it in the blender, or use an immersion  blender.