Israeli Couscous

*adapted from Amanda's apron

Ingredients
1 Tbsp EVOO or coconut oil
1 small onion, diced
1 carrot
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
1 1/4 c vegetable broth
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp white pepper
dash curry
2-3 bay leaves
2/3 c Israeli / pearl couscous
1/2 c coconut milk
1/4 c fresh parsley

Directions
1. Heat oil, then add onion, carrot, garlic, bell pepper. Saute until carrots are soft but not browned.
2. Stir in broth and seasonings (except bay leaves and parsley). Increase heat to boil, then add couscous and bay leaves.
3. Reduce heat to medium-lo again, cover, and cook about 8 minutes. Once cooked, stir in coconut milk and parsley. Serve hot and garnish with parmesan if desired.

Red Bean Soup

Ingredients
1 Tbsp EVOO or coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 bay leaves
3 cans/ 3 cups kidney beans (soaked overnight if using dry beans)
32 oz vegetable stock
water as needed
2 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp paprika
1/2 Tbsp oregano
1/2 Tbsp thyme
2 tsp garlic powder
3 Tbsp chopped parsley
cooked brown rice, warm
green onions to garnish

Directions
1. Heat oil in large pot. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves. Cook, stirring, about 2 minutes
2. Add beans, seasoning, stock and amount of water for desired consistency. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook until beans are tender (about 1 1/2 hrs for dry beans, 30 minutes for canned)
3. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, add salt to taste and parsley. Discard bay leaves and remove 1 cup of beans from pot. Puree this 1 cup of beans and return to pot, stirring well.
4. To servie, ladle into soup bowls over rice with green onions to garnish if desired.