Black Bean Soup

1 yellow or white onion chopped

3 Tbs olive oil

7 cloves garlic minced

1 carrot chopped minced

4 cans organic black beans (or made from dried beans)

3 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2 Tbs onion powder

2 Tbs garlic powder

1 Tbs fresh ground pepper

3 Tbs chili powder

2 Tbs cumin

1 Tbs cornstarch

Chop the onion and garlic together in the food processor. Add to the pot with olive oil. Mince the carrot in the food processor and add to the onion and garlic. Saute this for about 10 minutes. Add all the spices and mix together. Add 2 cans black beans and vegetable broth.

While this is simmering, in a vitamix or blender add the other 2 cans black beans and about 4 cups of the soup that is simmering. Blend well and add back to the pot.

This step is optional depending on if you want your soup thicker or not: In a bowl add the cornstarch and about 1 cup of the hot soup. Mix together with a fork until the cornstarch is well blended. Add this to the soup and let simmer for 1/2 hour on the lowest heat. Serve topped with grated vegan cheese

Roasted Root Vegetables & Black Beans

I use all organic vegetables

1 rutabaga

1 yellow turnip

2 large carrots

1 large parsnip

1 large yam

1 sweet potato

1/2 large red onion peeled and cut up in chunks and split apart

15 oz black beans drained

Vinaigrette Dressing (below)

Preheat the oven to 450

Wash and peel all the vegetables. Cut them up in 1 inch chunks. Add any other root vegetables you like. Place all the vegetables in a large bowl.

Toss the Vinaigrette Dressing with all the vegetables. Place in a roasting pan that has been sprayed with non stick spray. Reduce heat to 375 and roast for about 45 - 50 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Toss the black beans in the vegetables the last 10 minutes of roasting.

Vinaigrette Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

6 cloves garlic

1 tsp minced fresh or dried basil

Salt

Pepper

1 Tbsp ginger sesame dressing/marinade

2 Tbsp water

Mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, ginger dressing, water and basil in a small cup. Put the garlic cloves in the food processor and mince. Add the garlic to the olive oil mixture.