[Aisling]

I'll be a showoff and submit my own recipe...I made this one up. Totally proud of myself; it rocks.

Ashley's Fantastic Black Bean & Quinoa Soup

1.5 lbs canned or soaked & cooked black beans
1 TB powdered roasted chipotle pepper (or to taste)
2/3 cup quinoa, uncooked
1/2 tsp cumin
1tsp onion powder (you could use 1/3 cup diced onion, I just have a picky eater )
1-2 large cloves of crushed garlic
1 finely diced red bell pepper
3 TB blackstrap molasses (you could sub honey or maple syrup, I just like the iron content of the molasses)
1tsp cinnamon
salt to taste

suggested garnishes and sides:
sour cream (vegan or regular)
diced fresh tomatoes
chives or thinly sliced green onions
sliced avocadoes (2-3 usually work for our family of 5...yes, the baby EATS)
Blue cornbread, toasted pita or tortilla chips

Put everything but cinnamon in pot, cover until water is 2" or so above the beans. Simmer with lid on at med-high, stirring occasionally and checking for water. Add cinnamon last (it gets bitter if you cook it for too long), then garnish bowls with sour cream, avocados and tomatoes.

Mmmmmm! Everyone in the family loves it, and it packs a mongo-load of protein and iron, and it's great for the immune system, too. I've had guests rave over it, so it's a good "company" veg/vegan meal.