RECIPES BEGINNING WITH 'l'

What to do with some leftover beans and refried beans sitting on the top shelf of your refrig? Turn ‘em into a nutritious main dish! Any kind of canned or cooked beans will work, from lentils and black beans to pintos and white beans.

Keep some enchilada sauce in the cupboard and you've got the key to creating a satisfying meal from the odds-and-end leftovers that accumulate in a week's time. Mix 'n match corn or flour tortillas and easily go vegetarian by eliminating the addition of ground meat.

While stir-fries are traditionally made with rice and veggies, we’ve had some delicious variations that utilize unusual combinations of noodles and different grains. The trick is to combine foods that partner well with your choice of complementary seasonings (see chart below).

This recipe uses agave syrup, a low-glycemic sweetener that is ideal for those watching blood sugar levels. If you'd like to boost the fiber content, this recipe is also delicious if you replace 3/4 cup of the flour with whole wheat flour. These are one of my all-time favorite muffins!

If you're lucky enough to have some canned lentils on hand, they make one heck of a good 'meatless burger.'

Tired of lentil soup? Patties are a great way to utilize lentils--whether plain, topped with gravy, or served alongside a dollop of sour cream, these burgers turn economical into exciting!

Thanks to Elizabeth Kaufmann for this easy lunch recipe based upon cooked lentils (use ready-to-eat canned or cook up a pot of dried to keep in the fridge all week). She served this on a whole wheat tortilla topped with shredded cheddar cheese -- sour cream would make an excellent topping too.

Here’s a light, refreshing change from grain-based tortillas. For vegetarians, try slicing baked-cooled-seasoned tofu, add hummus or a variety of cheeses. Mix 'n match these optional add-ins to add zing: sliced dill pickles, sliced sweet pickles, thinly sliced green onions or tomatoes, thinly sliced red or green pepper, marinated olives, mustard, mayonnaise, or Ranch dressing.