Longevity Bean Soup from the happy pear

  • olive oil 2 tbsp
  • 1 large onion about 1½ cups, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic about 1½ tbsp, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes optional
  • 1 × 400g tins butter beans drained and 1 tin cannelli beans rinsed 3½ cups total)
  • vegetable stock 2 cups
  • 200 ml coconut milk or oat cream ¾ cup
  • 3 –4 large handfuls chard or baby spinach about 4 cups, roughly chopped
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • Lemon juice to taste
  • tamari 1 tbsp
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh basil finely chopped

Build the base

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 6–8 minutes until soft and sweet. Add the garlic, mixed herbs and chilli flakes and cook for another minute.

Add the beans and broth

  • Add the butter beans, vegetable stock and tamari. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes. Mash some of the beans with the back of a spoon, or briefly blend a cupful of the soup, to naturally thicken the broth.

Make it creamy

  • Stir in the coconut milk or oat cream and simmer gently for another 5 minutes until rich and silky.

Add the greens

  • Stir through the chard or spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until just wilted. Add the lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.

Serve

  • Ladle into bowls and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
  • Takes  30 minutes
  • Serves 4

Mexican Street corn salad/dip from bellyfull.com

2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 ears fresh corn, shucked, kernels removed (about 3-4 cups fresh corn kernels)
 3 tbsp Mexican Crema or sour cream
 2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, grated on a microplane grater (about 1 to 2 tsp)
2 tbsp fresh juice from 2 limes
¼ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp cumin
1/8 tsp smoked paper
coarse salt and pepper, to taste
 ¼ cup Cotija or feta cheese, finely crumbled¼ cup finely diced red onion
 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

  • Warm oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add in the corn kernels; cook for about 5 minutes, tossing a few times, until lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the crema, mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Add dressing to the bowl with the cooled corn along with the cotija cheese, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold to combine and coat.
  • Serve and enjoy! (This salad is typically served warm, but it is also good at room temperature or even cold.)