Pasta with Beans, Kale and Sausage
This is my favorite way to clean out the fridge.

Serves 4

6 oz. bow-tie pasta (I just eyeball it and use half a bag)
1 large bunch Lacinato kale, roughly chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 chicken sausage links, sliced (I used Trader Joe’s jalapeno chicken sausage)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 tsp. salt (to taste)
1/4 tsp. black pepper

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until it’s el dente, then drain and set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the sliced chicken sausage. Cook sausage for about five minutes, until golden on both sides. Add the garlic, kale, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of sea salt. Continue sauteing until kale begins to wilt. Add black beans and heat through.

3. Add hot pasta, feta cheese, and pepper to the kale. Season with additional sea salt to taste. Serve.

Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Pancakes
Try sneaking in a vegetable for breakfast or dinner! Your family will thank you, I promise.

Serves 4

1 large sweet potato, baked then mashed with a fork
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 ts.p baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 cups milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
butter to grease skillet
maple syrup for serving

1. Grease a large skillet with butter and heat over medium-high heat.

2. Combine all ingredients, mixing just until combined and drop in quarter-cup servings onto hot skillet. Cook for about two minutes on each side, then serve with warm maple syrup.