Spicy Lentil Soup
Makes 1 pint of dry mix (serves 4).
Note: You could add 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes and 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and remove fresh onions and garlic from instructions. From Urban Relish.
For dry mix:
• 1 pint glass jar with tight-fitting lid
• 1 c. red lentils
• 1 tbsp. curry powder
• 1 tbsp. dried parsley
• 3/4 c. green lentils
• Dried apple rings, cut up, or golden raisins
For making soup:
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 c. diced onion (see Note)
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped (see Note)
• 5 c. stock
• Salt to taste
Directions
Place red lentils in bottom of jar. Top with curry powder and dried parsley, then with the green lentils. Fill the rest of the jar with dried apple rings or raisins. Seal jars and store at room temperature up to 1 month.
To make soup: Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add dry soup mix and stock, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and add salt as needed.
Nutrition information per each of 4 servings:
Calories420Fat10 gSodium172 mg
Carbohydrates61 gSaturated fat2 gCalcium80 mg
Protein28 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber15 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: ½ fruit, 3 ½ bread/starch, 4 lean meat.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Makes 1 cup dry mix (serves 3).
Note: From Urban Relish.
For dry mix:
• 1 cup jar with tight lid
• 1/8 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 c. powdered milk
• 1/4 c. sugar or firmly packed brown sugar
• Dash salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 c. mini chocolate chips
• 1 or 2 dashes of cayenne pepper
• Mini marshmallows
For making hot chocolate:
1 c. hot milk or boiling water
Directions
Mix all ingredients together, except for marshmallows, and pour into jar. Top with marshmallows.
To make hot chocolate: Remove marshmallows from jar, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup hot milk or boiling water. Top with marshmallows.
Nutrition information per each of 3 servings:
Calories264Fat5 gSodium205 mg
Carbohydrates46 gSaturated fat3 gCalcium385 mg
Protein11 gCholesterol13 mgDietary fiber1 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 milk, 2½ other carb, 1 fat.
Taco Seasoning Mix
Makes 1/4 cup.
Note: From Urban Relish.
• 1 tbsp. flour or cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 1 tbsp. cumin
• 2 tsp. ground coriander
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ancho chile powder or red chili flakes (or to taste)
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions
Mix all ingredients together.
Suggested uses: Add 1/4 cup to ground beef or turkey with 1/4 cup water and simmer till all the liquid is gone.
Or add 1/4 cup to 16 ounces of sour cream to make a dip for chips and vegetables.
M&M Cookies
Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Note: From Urban Relish.
For dry mix:
• 1 wide-mouth quart (4-cup) canning jar with lid and ring
• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 1/4 c. M&M chocolate candies
For making cookies:
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions
Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Layer flour mixture, brown sugar, granulated sugar and M&Ms in jar. Pack firmly.
To make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Empty jar of cookie mix into mixing bowl; blend thoroughly. Add butter, egg and vanilla. Mix until completely blended.
Roll into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake until edges are lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
