Fast Vegetable Beef Soup

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 can (46 oz) V8 juice (low-sodium, if you want)
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 package frozen mixed vegetables
1 can kidney beans, or any kind you want.(I sometimes omit the beef and just use beans.)

In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the V8 juice, soup mix, and mixed vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 6 minutes until vegetables are tender. You can also add noodles, if you want. Just add them after the vegetables have cooked for a couple minutes. We like ABC, spiral, or elbow macaroni.Serves 8.(This is a revised recipe that I got from my sister-in-law Jamie It's the fastest soup you will ever make!)

Lentil Tacos

A healthy alternative to ground meat, plus a way to use up the dried beans. I went ahead and took the suggestion from Deceptively Delicious Taco recipe and added 1/2 can (140z) of crushed tomatoes with their juice and 1/2 cup and sweet potato, carrot, or butternut squash puree, and it was absolutely delicious. The original recipe is from Runner's World recipes.

1 cup onions, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup brown lentils, dry
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup water or vegetable broth
3 tablespoons dried black currants or raisins,
minced1 cup salsa, plus additional for topping
8 6-inch corn tortillas
shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

In a large frying pan over medium heat, sauted onions, celery, and garlic in the olive oil for five minutes or until vegetables are soft. Stir in the lentils, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook for one minute. Add the broth and raisins. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender (add more water or broth as needed). Remove the lid and cook an additional 10 minutes (until lentils are thick), stirring often. Fold in the salsa. Wrap the tortillas in a damp white cotton towel and microwave on high for one minute. Spoon the lentil mixture among the tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.Serves four.

Calories: 390Fat: 6 gCarbs: 69 gProtein: 18 g

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 Cup Margarine
1 3/4 C sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
2 C peeled, shredded zucchini
1/2 Vegetable Oil ( I use olive oil)
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup sour milk (I use 1/2 cup soy milk and 1/2 tsp vinegar)
4 Tablespoons cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp

Topping: 1/4 cup or more Choc. Chips, 1/4 chopped nuts, 1/4 cup brown sugar.

Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs and Vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour milk and oil. Mix in zucchini. Spread in a 9x13 inch pan and top with topping.
Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes. Cake is ready to eat when cool.

Variations- I have substituted margarine for butter. I don't put nuts on the top either.

Carrots and Parsnips

1 lb carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 lb parsnips, peeled and coarsely chopped
Steam (I just cook in microwave with a little water). Add pepper and nutmeg and butter. Mash coarsely.

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Jamie, my boys love it, including Jens. Very easy and tasty.

Cheesy Harvest Vegetables

2 lb. mixed fall vegetables (butternut squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, and carrots) peeled, cut into 1 inch cubes, About 6 cups.
3 cups milk
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese
1 cup pf shredded Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
8 Ritz crackers, crushed(about 1/3 cup crumbs)

Preheat oven 350 F. Place vegetables and milk in large saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low; simmer 20 minutes or until completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg.
Pour into greased 2 qt casserole dish; sprinkle with cracker crumbs.
Bake 30 min or until top is golden brown and vegetable mixture is heated through

I made this for my whole family and it was a huge hit. Jens and I make the vegetables bake in chicken broth and nutmeg instead of all the other stuff and it is really tasty. But both ways are good.