Wheat Berry Minestrone

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped (about 3/4 cup)

2 small celery stalks, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 liter vegetable broth

4-5 canned plum tomatoes, chopped, juices included

1 cup chopped green beans

5-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped (add more if you like)

pinch of dried oregano

1 cup cooked wheat or spelt berries*

2 cups cooked cannellini beans

1 small bunch kale, chopped (about 3 cups packed)

Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic and cook until softened but not browned. Add broth, tomatoes, green beans and herbs. Cover and simmer until green beans are tender-crisp. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until kale is wilted down. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

*To cook wheat or spelt berries, I wash the grains then add to a pot of water. I use about 4 times as much water to grain. Simmer until tender, adding more water if needed, then drain. I allow 30-40 minutes cooking time. The cooked grains freeze very well so I always prepare extra to stash in the freezer.

Baked Apples

I used 1/3 cup each of maple and sugar for this recipe. My husband thought the baked apples were perfectly sweetened and I thought they could have have used a little less sweetness. The next time I will try maybe 3 tablespoons of the raw sugar and keep the maple syrup at 1/3 cup.

6 medium Gala apples

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 teaspoons (approximate) vegan margarine

ground cinnamon, for serving

Filling:

1/3 cup chopped dried dates

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup raw sugar (you may wish to use less)

Slice the top portion of each apple off and reserve the tops. Core apples using a melon baller. Transfer apples cut side up to baking dish.

Combine ingredients for filling and fill apples. Add a dab of margarine to each. Place tops on apples. Drizzle with maple syrup. Bake at 350 F for approximately 50 minutes, or until apples are tender. Serve apples warm. Drizzle with juices that form in the bottom of the baking pan and spinkle with cinnamon.

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