Creamy Parmesan Italian Chicken & Orzo Soup

3-4 Chicken Breasts, cut into large chunks
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 can Diced Tomatoes
4 cups Chicken Broth
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Orzo, uncooked
1 cup Parmesan, shredded
1/2 teaspoon dried Basil
1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
S&P to taste
Fresh Parsley, for Garnish

In a large pot, over medium high heat, cook chicken in the olive oil.
Remove chicken from pot, and set aside.
In same pot add diced onion and minced garlic; cook until the onion is soft, about 4-5 minutes
Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil.
Add the orzo and cook until the pasta is al dente, approximately. 8-10 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low and stir in the heavy cream and shredded parmesan, stirring until the cheese is completely melted.
Add chicken back to the pot, stirring to combine with the soup, heat through.
Season with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, pea shoots and a drizzle of sour cream.

Serves 4

Black Bean Burger

Black Bean Burgers

2 (14oz) cans Black Beans, drained, rinsed well
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3/4 cup finely chopped Bell Pepper
1 cup diced Onion
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons Cumin
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
2 large Eggs
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (omit if serving a Vegetarian)
2 Tablespoons Ketchup, Mayo or BBQ sauce
Salt and Pepper

Cornmeal or cooked, cooled Quinoa to coat burgers in as they are formed

Over low heat in a large skillet, pan dry (fry) black beans – constantly stir black beans in a dry pan until most of the moisture has been removed.

Sauté onion, garlic and chopped pepper in olive oil over med-high heat for 5-6 minutes until peppers and onions are soft.
Turn out into a mixing bowl with remaining ingredients: cumin, smoked paprika, bread crumbs, feta cheese, eggs, W-Sauce (if using),  sauce of your choice, S&P to taste

Use a stick blender to mash it all together. Stir in black beans and whiz with stick blender until mashed, leaving some black beans whole.

Form into patties using about 1/2 cup of the mixture for each burger.

Place patties on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 375F for 10 minutes, flip over and continue baking for another 10 minutes.
At the end of the baking time you can add slices of Cheddar, Havarti, Jaleno Cheddar, Gruyere Cheese to melt.

Serve with your favourite toppings.
Store leftover patties in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

These patties freeze well, cooked or uncooked.