Bean Burgers

Makes 6 burgers

1 cup cooked garbanzo beans
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil spray
6 whole-wheat burger buns
6 tablespoons Tofu Mayo (see recipe) or other dairy- and egg-free mayonnaise substitute
6 tablespoons stone-ground mustard
6 tablespoons ketchup
6 tomato slices
6 red onion slices
6 lettuce leaves

Minestrone

Makes about 2 1/2 quarts (10 1-cup servings)

This is a good basic vegetable soup. You can enhance it with additional vegetables of your choosing

1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, cut into chunks
1 celery stalk, sliced, including top
1 potato, scrubbed and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 cups tomato juice
2 cups water or Vegetable Broth (see recipe)
1 teaspoon mixed Italian herbs
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 small zucchini, diced
1/4 cup dry pasta shells
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 cup finely chopped fresh kale, collard greens, or spinach
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil,
or 1 teaspoon dried basil.

Gazpacho

Makes about 3 quarts (12 1-cup servings)

This cool and tangy Spanish soup is perfect for a hot summer day.

2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
3 garlic cloves, pressed
3/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
8 cups vegetable juice or tomato juice
3/4 cup salsa
1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeño pepper, or to taste

Vegetable Broth

Makes about 8 1-cup servings

A steamy cup of this broth makes a warm and comforting meal. It may also be used as an ingredient in recipes that call for broth or stock.

1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
6 cups water
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, undrained

Tofu Mayo

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

This low-fat mayonnaise substitute is made with silken tofu.

1 12.3-ounce package firm or extra-firm silken tofu
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

Combine tofu, salt, sugar, mustard, lemon juice, and vinegar in a food processor or blender, and process until completely smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Chill thoroughly before using.

Raspberry or Blackberry Vinaigrette

Makes 1/4 cup

This dressing adds a delightful fruity taste to salads.

2 tablespoons raspberry or blackberry vinegar
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
Whisk vinegars together.

Per 1 tablespoon serving: 12 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 g protein; 2.5 g total carbohydrates; 2.4 g sugar; 0 g fiber; 118 mg sodium; 1 mg calcium; 0 mg iron; 0 mg vitamin C; 0 mcg beta-carotene; 0 mg vitamin E

Recipe from Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer by Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Makes 1/4 cup

The mellow flavor of balsamic vinegar is delicious on salads.
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard
1 garlic clove, pressed
Whisk vinegars, ketchup, mustard, and garlic together.

Per 1 tablespoon serving: 17 calories; 0.1 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 3% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0.2 g protein; 3.8 g total carbohydrates; 3.3 g sugar; 0.1 g fiber; 175 mg sodium; 4 mg calcium; 0.1 mg iron; 0.8 mg vitamin C; 22 mcg beta-carotene; 0.1 mg vitamin E

Recipe from Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer by Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Creamy Dill Dressing

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

This rich-tasting, creamy dressing has no added oil. Its creaminess comes from tofu.

1 12.3-ounce package firm silken tofu
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic granules or powder
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Store any extra dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Per 1 tablespoon serving: 12 calories; 0.4 g fat; 0.1 g saturated fat; 28.8% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 1 g protein; 1.2 g total carbohydrates; 0.9 g sugar; 0 g fiber; 60 mg sodium; 5 mg calcium; 0.2 mg iron; 0.4 mg vitamin C; 1 mcg beta-carotene; 0 mg vitamin E

Recipe from Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer by Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Makes 2 1-cup servings

1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup apple juice concentrate

1 1/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)

Combine oats, apple juice concentrate, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook three minutes. Remove from heat and stir in raisins or currants, if using. Let stand three minutes before serving.

Per 1-cup serving: 312 calories; 2.9 g fat; 0.5 g saturated fat ; 8.4% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 7 g protein; 66 g carbohydrate; 32.9 g sugar; 4.7 g fiber; 29 mg sodium; 51 mg calcium; 2.8 mg iron; 2.1 mg vitamin C; 0 mcg beta-carotene; 0.3 mg vitamin E

Recipe from Healthy Eating for Life to Pre vent and Treat Cancer by Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.