Navy Bean, Bacon, and Spinach Soup

http://www.skinnytaste.com/navy-bean-bacon-and-spinach-soup-pressure-cooker-slow-cooker-or-stove-top/

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 15 oz cans navy beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 slices center cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1 large celery stalk, chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (I used a bouquet garni for tosing)
  • 3 cups baby spinach

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a blender, blend 1 can of beans with 1 cup of water.
  2. Press Saute button then cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside on paper towels.
  3. Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste then add the pureed beans, beans, broth, rosemary and bay leaves.
  4. Cook on high pressure 15 minutes. Let the pressure release, remove rosemary and bay leaves. Place 2 cups of the soup in the blender and puree to thicken, then add back to the soup along with the spinach and stir until wilted. To serve, ladle into 6 bowls and top with bacon.

Corn Chowder Salad

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2015/08/corn-chowder-salad/

4 thick slices of bacon (4 ounces), cut crosswise 1/2 inch thick
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch dice, although I made mine smaller
6 large or 8 medium ears of corn, kernels removed (I used 8 large and it was a massive salad)
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cider vinegar
Salt and crushed red pepper to taste

Cook bacon: In a large frying pan, cook the bacon over moderately low heat, stirring a few times, until it is crisp, about 5 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels and let drain.

Fry potatoes, peppers and corn: Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet. Add the potatoes and cook over moderately high heat until they start to brown, about about 3 to 6 minutes. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes longer, until almost tender; they’ll finish cooking with the other vegetables. Add the diced red peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and peppers are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring, until heated through but still crisp, about 3 minutes.

Assemble and serve: Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl and stir in the onion, cider vinegar and bacon. Season with red pepper and salt to taste. Serve warm, or at room temperature.