Roasted Vegetables

If you're willing to take the time to chop up vegetables, this is a very satisfying side! Roasting really brings out the flavor of the veggies and creates a perfect, cruncy, yet tender texture.

Ingredients:
* Veggies -- they can vary to your liking! The recipe I originally got from Allrecipes.com used the following for about 6 servings:
* 2 zucchini, chopped
* 1/4 eggplant, peeled and chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 4 cherry tomatoes
* 1/2 red onion, sliced
* 1/4 red bell pepper
* 1/4 yellow bell pepper

* Marinade:
* 2 Tbspn olive oil
* 1/4 tsp each: dried rosemary, thyme, oregano, grated lemon zest
* 1/2 bay leaf, crushed
* small clove garlic, minced
* 1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
* salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients and marinate at least 2 hours, but preferably longer - overnight.

2. Roast uncovered at 400 for 20 mins or until tomatoes have split and edges of veggies are starting to crisp. Remove and stir. Roast for another 20 minutes. at this time, reduce heat to 200 and continue cooking until veggies are tender, turning every 20 minutes.

Mom's Black Bean Tacos

Directions:
1. Chop a medium onion and a sweet potato

2. Coat a skillet with oil

3. Saute onion and sweet potato until soft & translucent

4. Add a can of black beans, (rinsed) and about a can's worth of frozen corn.

5. Add a tsp of chili powder, a tsp of cumin, and a dash of salt and pepper with 1/4 cup of water.

6. Let it cook down, then it's ready to eat.

Balsamic Vinegar Marinade

From allrecipes.com...the recipe says to let it marinate for 10 minutes per side, but you can put the marinade in a ziploc and marinate as long as you want. I always say the longer you let it marinate, the better! i also don't see why you couldn't marinate, then broil or grill this recipe. We ate it with brown rice and a veggie, but I think it'd be really good cut up over pasta or salad, too. Great, easy recipe...

Ingredients:
* 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
* 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
* 2 tablespoons white sugar
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, or pork, turkey, or tofu
* 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:
1. Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, chicken or veggie broth, sugar, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a bowl, place the chicken breasts or whatever you're marinating in the marinade, and marinate for 10 minutes on each side.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Place the chicken in the heated pan and cook until they start to brown and are no longer pink inside, about 7 minutes per side. Pour the marinade into the skillet, and cook until it thickens slightly, turning the chicken breasts over once or twice, about 5 minutes.

Hearty Bean and Barley Soup

I got this recipe from my mom and it is SO delicious and full of antioxidants. This is good with a crusty loaf of bread.

Ingredients:
* 1 Tblsp olive oil
* 2 large carrots, coarsely chopped
* 2 stalks celery, sliced
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
* 2 cans (14 oz each) vegetable broth
* 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
* 1/4 cup pearl barley
* 2 cups firmly packed chopped fresh spinach

Directions:
* Heat oil in stockpot. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic and cook until tender.
* Add tomatoes, broth, beans, and barley. heat to boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 30 minutes or until barley is done. Stir in spinach and season with coarsely ground pepper to taste. Heat through. Serves 6

DELICIOUS Meat and Tofu Marinade

This recipe is from my grandma, and is wonderful for tofu, turkey/chicken breasts, and pork. As with all marinades, the longer you marinate it, the better. This is a great marinade for grilling or broiling.

Ingredients:
* 1/4 cup white wine or cooking sherry
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 clove of minced garlic, OR 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder
* 2 Tablespoons minced, dried onion
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
* Mix all ingredients together and marinate for a good long time (the longer, the better!), and cook meat/tofu as desired.