Slow Cooker Enchiladas

Ingredients
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
1-16 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen corn
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. cheese, shredded and divided
2-16 ounce jars of your favorite salsa or enchilada sauce
12 6"-8" tortillas, flour or corn
Optional: 1 cup leftover meat


DirectionsIn a medium bowl, mix together the onion, pepper, black beans, corn, spices, meat (if using), and just 1/2 cup of the cheese. Pour about a cup of salsa (half a jar) into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it around evenly. Scoop about 1/3 cup into one of the tortillas, roll it up, and nestle it into the bottom of the crock pot. Repeat with the half of the remaining filling, rolling tortillas until the entire bottom of of the crock pot is filled. Spread another cup of salsa over this layer and sprinkle it with another 1/2 cup of cheese.
Continue with the remaining filling and tortillas to create a second layer. Top with another cup of salsa, but reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese for later. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the leftover cheese over the top and let it melt. Serve the enchiladas with the remaining salsa. Leftovers will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. 

To cook these enchiladas in the oven, layer the rolled tortillas in a 9x13 baking pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Poppyseed Salad Dressing

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoons mustard (I use Coleman’s)
1 teaspoon table salt or 2 teaspoons Kosher
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup canola or grapeseed oil
1/3 cup apple cider or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup finely grated red onion
1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions
Pour the olive and canola oil into a measuring cup and set aside. Add the sugar, mustard, red onion and salt to the jar of a blender (I used the Magic Bullet).  Pour in the vinegar and blend on high until the sugar has thoroughly dissolved. With the motor still running, remove the lid from the blender and pour in the combined oils in a steady stream until emulsified. Pour the dressing into a jar, add the poppy seeds and shake or stir the dressing to combine.  Seal the jar tightly and refrigerate until use. Makes about 2 cups.

Pasta Fagioli

Pasta Fagioli (pasta and beans) is an incredibly hearty traditional Italian dish that is just perfect for fall. This recipe makes a fagioli so thick you can stand a spoon up in the pot, so it's sure to warm you to the bone and fill your tummy. Even better, it goes from prep to plate in half an hour.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
½ c. carrots, chopped
½ large onion, grated
5 cloves garlic, pressed or grated
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 dried bay leaf
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2-14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
8 c. low sodium vegetable broth
2-15 oz. cans low sodium red kidney beans, rinsed
16 oz. ditalini pasta
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Heat butter and oil in an 8 quart stock pot over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots to pan and cook until onions are almost translucent; add garlic, thyme sprig, rosemary sprig, and bay leaf. Add tomato paste, chicken broth, tomatoes, beans salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. 

Add pasta and cook according to the package directions, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat, remove herb stems, serve and enjoy!

Chickpea, Squash & Red Lentil Stew

Ingredients
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tbsp. olive or canola oil
1 large carrot, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
2-3 tsp. garam masala
1 butternut squash (about 3 lbs.), peeled and chopped
1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes in tomato juice
1 qt. vegetable broth
1 c. red lentils
2-15 oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1-2 tsp. sea salt (to taste)
fresh cilantro, minced (for serving)

Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion, carrot and jalapeno and sauté for about six minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds, and then add the garam masala, stirring well to coat. Take off heat.

Place the chickpeas, butternut squash, canned diced tomatoes, red lentils, vegetable broth and onion mixture in your slow cooker. Turn the heat on LOW and cook for 8-10 hours...the longer you cook, the thicker your stew will be.

Season with sea salt to taste, and serve. This stew freezes extremely well and will keep in the fridge for up to five days.