Saucy Beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups cooked or canned pink beans or garbanzos
6-ounce can tomato paste
1 cup hot water
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon firmly-packed brown sugar (optional)
juice of 1 lemon

Greens
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch spring greens—spinach, broccoli rabe, turnip greens—washed well and coarsely chopped

Couscous
2 cups water
1 cup whole wheat couscous
salt to taste

Directions:

Make the Saucy Beans: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium high heat and add onion and garlic, stirring to coat with oil. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened and fragrant but not browned. Add beans, tomato paste, water, spices, sugar (if using),and lemon juice to the skillet, stirring well to combine. Heat until bubbling and somewhat thickened.
Cook the Greens: In another skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add greens. Saute, stirring occasionally, until just wilted and barely tender.
Make the Couscous: Bring salted water to a boil in a medium pot and add couscous. Stir, return to a boil, then cover pot and remove from heat. Allow to remain, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Assemble: Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Make a hollow in the center of the couscous and add the greens, then top with the sauce. Using a large serving spoon, allow everyone to scoop up some of each to place on their plates. Yields 4 servings.

1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsps. minced garlic
1 1/4 lbs. carrots, peeled, chopped
2 tomatoes, seeded, chopped
1 1/2 tsps. grated lemon peel
3 cups or more vegetable stock
2 tbsps. fresh lemon juice
4 tbsps. sour cream, optional, for garnish

Directions:

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 4 minutes. Add ginger and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add chopped carrots, tomatoes and lemon peel; sauté 1 minute. Add stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly.
Puree soup in batches in blender. Return soup to pot. Mix in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more stock, if desired. Ladle into bowls. Top each with a dollop of sour cream. Serves 4.