Creamy Pinto Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Soften the onions, garlic and pepper in water for 5-10 minutes. Prepare other ingredients.
• Add remaining ingredients except salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, mostly covered, 10-15 minutes.
• In 2 batches, puree the soup in a food processor until creamy(haven't tried the blender, though that would probably work too). Add salt to taste, if desired.
• Return to pot and keep over low heat until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and 1 tablespoon salt and cook 1 more minute. Add 7 cups water, cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, trim the green beans and zucchini and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Stir into the prepared broth along with the beans and spaghetti. Simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes.
• When ready to serve, whisk 1/3 cup pesto into the soup. Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining pesto. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve with bread, if desired.

Steps:

• For a smooth texture, combine all the ingredients, plus 1 cup water, in a food processor and process until just pureed. For a soup with added texture, reserve 1/2 cup or so of the pinto beans, then stir into the pureed mixture.
• Creamy Pinto Bean Puree (this page)
• Mushroom and Bell Pepper Quesadillas or Soft Tacos (page 172)
• Shredded dark green lettuce and diced tomatoes
• Good-quality low-fat tortilla chips
• Calories: 220
• Total Fat: 1g
• Protein: 13g
• Carbohydrate: 39g
• Cholesterol: 3mg
• Sodium: 445mg