Black Bean Soup and Lentils

A couple of followers asked for the recipe for the slow cooker black bean soup I made last weekend.  I'm not going to post it because I don't think it turned out very well.  It was a recipe that came in the little book with the cooker, and used dried black beans.  Even though I had soaked them overnight, and simmered them all day, they were still pretty hard.  The seasonings weren't great either.  So if you really want a Black Bean recipe, look for one that uses canned ...

On the other hand, I would like to share my best personal food discovery in years.  


Trader Joe's Steamed Lentils!




They are refrigerated, and vacuum packed, so they will keep well in the fridge. 


They can be used in many ways, both in cool salads or warmed in the microwave, with or without any additional seasonings.

Their nutritional numbers are excellent.


1/2 cup, which is just about right for a side dish, is only 120 calories, a whopping 8g fiber, and 20g Carbs with only 2g of those as sugar. 
 Their glycemic index number is good too.  Somewhere between 30 and 40. Mashed potatoes are over 100.
They are also a good source of protein, 9g.


Whenever I try a new food, I like to try it in it's simplest form. In this case unseasoned,  warmed in the microwave as specified on the package. 


 They were really good!  And very satisfying.  I've stopped eating potatoes and have been experimenting with a variety of grains.  These lentils were even better than mashed Yukon golds!


This morning I added a left over 3/4 of them to a can of basic low sodium chicken broth and had a very filling and satisfying breakfast for less than 200 calories.  WITH 10g of fiber!


There are a couple of my e-friends who have had or are going to have bariatric surgery.  As you resume eating small amounts of food, these might work well for you.  I could imagine scooping just a tablespoon or two from the package for your mini meals.  Ask your dietitian about them.


My next few posts will probably be about food.  I mentioned I had lost ten pounds (it's more like 13 now) and I would like to share some of my healthier food choices.