Escarole & Bean Soup

adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/escarole-and-bean-soup-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 shallot, chopped

1 pound escarole, chopped

Salt & Pepper

Pinch of Red pepper flakes

4 cups low-salt chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 (1-ounce) piece Parmesan

6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Serving suggestion: crusty bread

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot, red pepper flakes and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the escarole and saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt & pepper. Add the chicken broth, beans, and parmesan cheese. Cover and simmer until the beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ladle the soup into 6 bowls. Drizzle 1 teaspoon evoo over each. Serve with crusty bread.

Falafels with Tahini Sauce

Ingredients

1 8ounce bag of dried garbanzo beans

2 teaspoons of cumin

2 teaspoons of ground red pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons pepper

1 onion, cut into quarters

4 garlic cloves

2 teaspoons flour

1 cup parsley

Oil for frying

Directions

Soak garbanzo beans in water over night. Drain. In a large food processor combine all ingredients. Pulse until all ingredients are combined and formed into a paste. If it is too thick add water. Let sit for an hour. Heat oil in a large pan. Form mixture into small balls and fry on both sides until golden brown. Serve hot with warmed pita bread, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and tahini sauce.

Tahini Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup tahini

4 tablespoons cold water

3-5 lemons (depending on thickness)

1 garlic clove, smashed with salt until a paste is formed

Directions

Put tahini in a large bowl. Add water and combine. This will form a very thick paste. Add juice of 3 lemons and combine. If the mixture is still very thick continue adding lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and the mixture makes a sauce. Add garlic and combine.