Hearty Tomato Basil Soup

Warm, creamy, vegetable deliciousness!

Makes approximately 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

1 can stewed tomatoes

2-6 oz cans V8 or vegetable juice

2-6 oz cans tomato paste

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup RiceMilk

1 tsp dried, crushed Basil leaves

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 box favorite pasta (we used Rozoni's Garden Delight Penne Rigate)

1-2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, rinsed

1.  In large pot, heat stewed tomatoes, V8 juice, tomato paste, and chicken broth and heat, stirring frequently. 

2. When heated through, stir in RiceMilk and basil leaves.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to low boil, continue stirring frequently. 

3. When soup begins to boil add pasta; cook until tender.  Stir frequently! Just before serving, add in spinach leaves.  They'll wilt but retain their bright green color making a beautiful soup.  Serve and enjoy with your favorite crusty bread or toast!

Banana Chocolate Pancakes

These moist, fluffy and chocolaty pancakes were an experiment we enjoyed during Christmas Break, but one that would be good for a special breakfast anytime!

Ingredients:

Dry:

3  c. all purpose or whole-wheat flour (or a combination of the two)

2-3 T  cocoa powder

1 T  baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. kosher salt

Wet:

2 1/2 c 'buttermilk' (~2 T lemon juice and RiceMilk to equal 2 1/2 c RiceMilk)

2 bananas, mashed

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c oil/water

1/4 c honey

*Ghirardelli's semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Measure out and combine all dry ingredients thoroughly in large bowl, make well in center.

2.  In separate bowl, combine and mix all the 'wet' ingredients.  Pour into the well of the 'dry' ingredients and stir with whisk till combined but slightly lumpy.

3.  Pour onto hot griddle 1/4 cup at a time...cook til surface bubbles and edges look slightly dry, turn and cook the other side til cooked through.  (If pancakes start to over-brown on the first side before the top surface is bubbly, turn heat down.)

4.  Top with maple syrup, applesauce, pineapple, whip cream or a strawberry syrup and a little Smart Balance or butter and your taste buds may trigger thoughts of a Banana Split.

*For an optional but official 'treat' look, top with a few Ghirardelli's semi-sweet chocolate chips--which are dairy free.