May 6, 2020

Healthy Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup is the perfect one pot meal for stormy weather and busy weeknights!  Also, it’s super healthy!  Save some and freeze ahead for next time. INGREDIENTS
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 600ml well-flavoured vegetable stock
  • Handful of chopped parsley
  • 400g can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
  • 400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 75g small pasta shapes of your choice, optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
METHOD
  1. PREPARE your veg by chopping
  2. HEAT the oil in a large non-stick saucepan
  3. SAUTE the onion for about 5 mins or until soft.
  4. STIR in the garlic, carrot and celery and cook for a further 5 mins.
  5. ADD the tomatoes, tomato purée, stock and seasoning.
  6. BRING to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins or until the vegetables are soft.
  7. REMOVE half of the vegetable mixture and blend until smooth in a food processor. Return to the pan.
  8. ADD the beans & pasta, and simmer for a further 10 mins or until the pasta is cooked.
NOTES
  • If using pasta add an extra 200ml of water
  • Serve & garnish with some chopped parsley
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cooking: 30 mins
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Serves: 4-6
By Zina Stone November 27, 2025
Ingredients 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp dried oregano leaves 1/4 tsp dried c hilli flakes 2 (about 500g) chicken breast fillets, halved horizontally 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 small zucchini, sliced 175g mini capsicums, deseeded, halved 1 tbsp no-added-salt tomato paste 400g can cherry tomatoes 2 tsp white balsamic condiment 140g (2/3 cup) wholemeal couscous 160ml (2⁄3 cup) boiling water 250g green beans, steamed, halved lengthways Lime wedges, to serve Instructions Step 1 Combine paprika, cumin, oregano and chilli. Sprinkle spice mixture over the chicken. Step 2 Heat half the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Cook the zucchini for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to plate. Add chicken to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until browned and almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Step 3 Heat remaining oil in pan over medium heat. Add capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until begins to soften. Stir through tomato paste. Add tomatoes and 125ml (1 ⁄2 cup) water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 6-7 minutes or until slightly reduced. Add chicken, zucchini and balsamic. Simmer for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Step 4 Meanwhile, combine the couscous and boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Cover and set aside for 3-4 minutes to absorb. Fluff with a fork. Nutrition and Cooking Times Serves: 4 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Nutrient Value per serve: Calories: 480kcal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 28g | Carbohydrates: 28g
By Zina Stone November 27, 2025
In this bulletin...
By Zina Stone November 13, 2025
Ingredients 450g salmon fillet ½ teaspoon salt, divided ¼ teaspoon ground pepper 30g string beans (green, yellow, or a mix), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 ¾ cups water ¾ cup quinoa (red, white, or tricolored), rinsed 3 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, plus more for garnish, or 1/2 tsp. dried 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved or sliced Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Place salmon filet on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/8 tsp. salt and pepper. Bake until the salmon is no longer opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes, then flake the salmon into bite-size pieces (discard the skin). Meanwhile, bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a medium saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add 8 ounces beans; cover and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Rinse the beans under cold water, drain well, and set aside. Combine 1 ¾ water, ¾ quinoa, and 1/8 tsp. salt in the saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Whisk 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 clove minced garlic, 2 teaspoons chopped oregano, and the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a small bowl. To serve, divide the quinoa among 4 dinner bowls. Arrange the salmon, beans, tomato, feta, and olives over the quinoa. Drizzle with the dressing and garnish with more fresh oregano, if desired. Nutrition and Cooking Times Serves: 4 | Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes Nutrient Value per serve: Calories: 480kcal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 28g | Carbohydrates: 28g