Recipe: Green Bean Parmesan Soup

 If you have trouble getting your kids to eat their vegetables, try this creamy soup. It's tasty, super simple to make, and creamy and cheesy so even the kids will eat it! If they object to the color, just tell them it's what "The Hulk" eats for breakfast. :-)


Smooth Moves Green Bean Parmesan Soup
(Makes 4 servings.)

Ingredients:

8 oz fresh young green beans, trimmed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, grated
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup cream or half-and-half
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a large soup pot, add the beans and olive oil, place over medium-high heat and stir until beans start to soften; about 3 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• Add the stock and bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the beans are tender.
• Let cool slightly, then put into a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
• Return the soup to the pot over low heat and stir until heated through again.
• Add the Parmesan cheese and cream and stir until cheese melts.
• Taste and add salt and pepper as needed; serve hot.

Recipe: Sweet Maple Green Beans

Mmmmm...few summer vegetables are more delicious and healthy than fresh green beans. They're also easy to grow, so if you've got a hankering to try your hand at gardening, green beans are a great place to start!

This recipe makes a special treat out of green beans that the kids will absolutely love. Sautéing green beans in butter and maple syrup makes them tender, sweet and delicious.

Sweet Maple Green Beans

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

2 cups green beans
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons maple syrup
Salt and pepper

Directions: 

• Steam green beans until starting to soften. 
• Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. 
• Add the maple syrup and green beans saute for a few minutes. 
• Add salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
• Makes a great side dish for a potluck or barbecue!