Chicken Chickpea Veggie Soup

chicken chickpea soup
I have not been cooking much lately, but I hope to get back with it soon! Here is a recipe in the mean time though :-). I made this one a couple weeks ago and really, really loved it! It was easy, healthy, soothing on a chilly day and so delicious! (recipe from Eat,Live,Run)

Ingredients:
1 shallot, minced
2 large carrots, small diced
2 stalks celery, small diced
1 3″ knob ginger, peeled and minced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 quarts chicken broth
1 rotisserie chicken, roughly chopped (I used about half of it)
1 14.5 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (I only put half can)
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
juice of 1 lemon
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped

Directions:
Saute the shallot, carrot, celery, ginger, garlic and jalapeno in the olive oil for about five minutes, until veggies start to soften. Pour in the broth and add the chickpeas and chopped rotisserie chicken. Bring to a simmer, then add the salt, pepper, lemon juice, swiss chard and parsley. Simmer until greens wilt (about five minutes) then serve.

Pork, Potato and Plantain Toss with almond-cilantro pesto


potatoes plantains pork
When I saw this recipe in Clean Eating I thought it looked good, but I also knew it was definitely a hit or miss kind of recipe. It was either going to be really yummy or completely gross. And guess what? It was delicious! I absolutely loved it! The almond-cilantro pesto was SOOO good! So feel brave and give it a try :-).

Ingredients:
- 1 lb redskin potatoes, peeled and quartered (I never peel red potatoes)
- 1 1/4 lb yellow plantains, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick slices (I used 2 plantains)
- 1 1/2 t olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, stemmed
- 1 1/2 oz sliced raw unsalted almonds
- 1/2 t sea salt
- 3/4 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 1/2-in thick medallions (I used loin chops)

Directions:
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Add plantains and cook for 5 more minutes, until potatoes and plantains are easily pierced with a knife.
Drain and let sit in colander for 1 minute to cool. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 t oil on med-low for 1 minute.
Add garlic and saute stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
Prepare pesto: In bowl of food processor, combine garlic, cilantro, almonds and salt. Process for 30 seconds, until cilantro and almonds are finely chopped.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1/2 t oil on medium for 1 minute. Add pork and cook, turning occasionally for 6 minutes, until opaque and cooked through. Transfer pork and pesto to potato-plantains bowl and toss to coat.

Makes four 1 1/2 cup servings...Calories 426, total fat 9g, carbs 67g, fiber 7g, sugars 23g, protein 24g, sodium 298mg, cholesterol 55mg