Provençal White Bean Soup

Insert the hand blender and process for an additional 30 to 40 seconds. Remove charger handle from hand blender. Serve hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional information per serving (made with evaporated fat free milk):

Calories 54 (29% from fat) • carb. 6g • pro. 3g • fat 2g • sat. fat 0g •

chol. 1mg • sod. 420mg • calc. 67mg • fiber 1g

This hearty yet healthy soup can be ready to serve in about 30 minutes.

Makes 10 cups

1tablespoon “light” flavored olive oil

1cup chopped onions

1/2 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped celery

4cloves garlic, peeled

1teaspoon herbs de Provence (may substitute dry thyme)

1bay leaf

6cups drained cooked white beans (may use canned – rinse and drain)

4cups low-sodium, low-fat chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup water

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

In a Cuisinart® 3-3/4 quart Saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onions, carrots, and celery until softened, but not browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Stir in the herbs de Provence and bay leaf; cook for 1 minute. Add stock, water and drained beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes. Turn off heat; remove bay leaf and discard. Insert the hand blender fitted with the metal blending blade into the saucepan. Turn the hand blender ON, and

using a gentle up-and-down motion, blend until smooth and creamy, about 1 to 1-1/2 minutes. Remove charger handle from hand blender. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve the soup hot. Soup may be garnished with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley and diced cooked bacon or ham.

Nutritional analysis per serving (without garnish):

Calories 182 (9% from fat) • carb 30g • pro. 12g • fat 2g • sat. fat 0g • chol. 0mg • sod. 221mg • calc. 111mg • fiber 7g

FAST & FRESH APPLESAUCE

One pan, no fuss applesauce – make it as you like it, chunky or smooth.

Makes 3 cups

2pounds apples (your favorite, Red Delicious not recommended), peeled, cored and cut into eighths

1/4 cup water

1tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a Cuisinart® 2-quart Saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until apples are fork tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes, still covered. Uncover and insert hand blender fitted with the metal blending blade. Process using a gentle up-and down motion until desired consistency is reached, using less time for a chunkier sauce, about 20 to 60 seconds. Remove the charger handle from the hand blender. Serve applesauce warm or chilled. Keeps covered and refrigerated for 3 days.

Nutritional analysis per serving (1/2 cup):

Calories 81 (5% from fat) • carb. 21g • pro. 0g • fat 1g • sat. fat 0g • chol. 0mg • sod 2mg • calc. 8mg • fiber 4g

Variations: Cinnamon Applesauce: add a cinnamon stick when cooking the apples. Remove before processing.

Cranberry Applesauce: Substitute cranberry or cranapple juice for the water and add 1/3 to 1/2 cup dried cranberries to the apples before cooking.