Avocado Feta Salad

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile!  This is the newest recipe I'm excited to try - and should have all the ingredients in this week's order.  By the way, I love thesisterscafe.com - they have a ton of great recipes that are usually family-friendly (ie good for picky eaters).

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers with Avocado

I found this on pinterest today. We haven't tried it yet but it looks good.

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/02/easy-sweet-potato-veggie-burgers-with.html?m=1

Chicken Tostadas

This recipe is adapted from a book called Celebrations. I looove the avocado salsa on top.

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for tortillas
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or chunks
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-4 oz can diced green chilies
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 6-6 inch tortillas
• 1/2 small head of lettuce, thinly sliced
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Avocado Salsa

In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp oil over med heat. Add chicken and cook until cooked through. Add garlic & cook 30-60 seconds. Add green chilies & sour cream; stir well. Cook over low heat until hot. Cover and set aside.

Generously brush tortillas with veg oil on both sides. Place a well-greased 10- inch skillet over medium heat. Fry tortillas, one at a time, for about 30 seconds on each side or until lightly browned and blistered. Remove from skillet & stack.

Arrange lettuce on each tortilla. Top with chicken mixture; sprinkle with cheese & tomato. Spoon avocado salsa on top. Makes 6 servings.

Avocado Salsa

• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil*
• 2 Tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted & chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped

In a small bowl, combine all salsa ingredients & stir together. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

*I cut the oil down to about 1 Tbsp, and it was great.

I also plan to top it with sautéed mushrooms and chopped green onions this week.

Creamy Black Bean Soup

I love this soup. It has wonderful flavor and natural sweetness from the onions and other vegetables that go into it - and it is completely healthy!  I like to freeze individual portions and heat them up for lunch later.  I've eaten it over lettuce with salsa or guacamole.  It also is great served on warm tortillas (here is my favorite homemade tortilla recipe).

This recipe is from a "Got Milk?" ad, but I couldn't find it online so I will just type the original here. I will say I think the recipe has a typo because YOU MUST USE WATER to cover and bring to a boil (I add about 3/4 cup chicken broth). I then use only 1/2 cup milk at the end because I don't like the soup too runny.  I also like adding 1/2-3/4 tsp. cumin and prefer sweet onions to white onions.  Here's the original recipe:

1 can black beans without the juice (16 oz)

1 cup fat free or lowfat milk

2 T olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 T white onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup red or green pepper

1/4 cup chopped carrots

2 T chopped celery

salt and pepper to taste

In a medium size pot, heat the olive oil at medium temperature, add the garlic and the onion and cook for 3 minutes.  Add the rest of the vegetables and cook for 3-5 more minutes.  Add the beans and condiments (salt and pepper); mix, cover and bring to a boil.  Boil for about 10 minutes.  Blend the mix in a blender/mixer and pour back into the pot.  Add the milk and heat for a few minutes without bringing to a boil.

If desired, serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, avocado, chopped hot peppers, cilantro and hot corn tortillas.