Black Bean Spaghetti Salad

I'll tell you that it was pure joy and excitement when I found this black bean spaghetti in the store. I was like a kid in the candy store, I'm a goofball like that. Woo Hoo! A new pasta to get my creative juices flowing. Guess what? I nailed this recipe on the first try, I just love that. So this is not only tasty but healthy too. I also found it to be filling and it keeps you fuller longer but not feeling bloated. Dare I say it? Even though it is made from beans it does not cause a gas problem. So eat your beans pasta style. Enjoy!

• 1 lb. black bean spaghetti
• 1 sweet yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips and then cut in half
• 8 oz. bag Sugar Snap Peas, cooked according to package instructions and cooled
• 6 green onions washed, trimmed and sliced thin
• 1 1/2 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
• 1 12 oz. jar quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, freshly chopped

Dressing

• 1/4 cup aged white wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. granulated garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions but add 1/2 tsp salt to the boiling water. Meanwhile cook sugar snap peas and mix together dressing and set aside. Now prepare the spring onions, grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts and fresh basil.

As soon as the pasta is cooked drain in colander and rinse under cold water until cool. Let pasta drain well. In a very large mixing bowl add pasta,  prepared veggies and dressing. I found this very hard to mix so I washed my hands well and tossed it bare handed.

Chill for 8 hours or over night in an air tight container. Serve cold.

Calories in Explore Asian Organic Black Bean Spaghetti

Nutrition Facts

Explore Asian - Organic Black Bean Spaghetti

1. Servings: 1    50g dry

Calories	160	Sodium	4 mg
Total Fat	2 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	1 g	Total Carbs	16 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	11 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	5 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	23 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	10%
Vitamin C	1%	Iron	30%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

No Bake Lemon Cheese Pie

I am so excited about this recipe because I love lemon and I hate to bake when it is hot outside. This a great easy no bake pie that is delicious. There is nothing better than a cool refreshing lemon pie on a hot day. Lemon lovers unite! May I be able to convert a few more lemon lovers with this one. Make your fat cells sing and your sweet tooth happy! Enjoy!

• 1, 10 oz box of Lorna Doone Shortbread cookies by Nabisco
• 8 lemon drop hard candies
• 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
• 2 8 oz. packs of 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 11.3 oz. jar of lemon curd
• 1/8 cup extra fine dessert sugar
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 9 inch Pyrex pie pan

For this recipe you will need lemon zester and a food processor, using the whirling blade. Place lemon drop candies into food processor and whirl until they look like sugar. Now add both sleeves of the cookies to lemon drops and whirl until you have an even crumb mixture. Place mixture into a large bowl and add melted butter and mix well.

Spray the pie pan with Pam cooking oil spray and press crumb mixture into bottom of pie pan and onto side as well, keeping it evenly covered. Refrigerate for now.

With an electric mixer on high speed mix together lemon curd, sugar, cream cheese, zest and juice of one lemon.

Remove prepared pie crust from refrigerator and slowly pour lemon cheese mixture into pie pan, filling just to the top. You will have some left over do not use all of the mixture. If you do not want to waste extra pie filling you may want to purchase a few small graham cracker mini pie shells and fill them up. Freeze pie for 4 hours or more.

To serve remove pie from freezer 30 minutes prior to serving and set on counter, you may want to heat the knife up with hot water for easier slicing. Enjoy!