Crunchy black bean tacos

I tried this recipe from my Six Sister Stuff recipe book.  They were yummy and healthy...a plus!  You can find the recipe on their website HERE.



Crunchy Black Bean Taco Recipe:
 (Makes 8 tacos)

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
4 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
Nonstick cooking spray
8 corn tortillas
1 avocado, sliced
Salsa
Sour cream

Directions:
1.  In a medium bowl, combine beans, red onion, cumin, paprika and cilantro.  Grate cheese and place in a small bowl.
2.  Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3.  Place one tortilla at a time on the hot skillet and add about 1/4 cup of bean filling to one half of the tortilla.  Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese.  Use a spatula to carefully fold the tortilla over so it forms a shell.  Press down lightly on the tortilla with the spatula so it holds its shape.  Cook each taco for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
4.  Serve with avocado, salsa, sour cream or any toppings you prefer.

Ham and Bean soup

This reminds me of winter and being inside during the holidays.

2 cups Great Northern Beans
1 lb ham with bone
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 whole onions- chopped
1 garlic clove
3 whole potatoes cut 1" thick
1 tablespoon parsley
3 large carrots cut 1"thick
3 stalks celery cut 1" thick
1 teaspoon paprika

***You can skip the cooking beans part if you just buy the beans in a can.
*** You can also get a ham bone at the butcher block and use a boneless ham for the meat.

Cover beans with water and bring to boil. Let them sit for 1 hour and then drain.
Add 2 quarts water, salt, and ham. Let them simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove ham bone and cut off meat- shred it or dice it, return meat to soup.
Saute onion and garlic in olive oil- then add to soup
Stir in the rest of ingredients
Simmer until vegetables are to desired softness
add pepper to taste