A Better Bag of Groceries

A Recipe from My Mom

Friday, May 7, 2010 at 06:50 AM

Today is a day to celebrate.  Not only is it Mother’s Day Weekend, but the day that I’ve been dreading waiting for is finally here:  it’s my 40th birthday!  I had been thinking about how to commemorate this day on my blog for a while, when it finally occurred to me.  On my birthday (which happens to fall oh-so-close to Mother’s Day) I would introduce you all to the woman who so bravely brought me into this world 40 years ago today:  My Mom!

Mom and Me

My mom is a Rock Star!  She is a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and friend to many.  She works as a nurse to developmentally disabled people and formerly worked as a hospice nurse.  She is always helping others (including me!) and so today, she wrote a recipe for all of you A Better Bag of Groceries fans!

Chicken and Pasta with Greens and Beans by Melissa’s Mom, Barbara

Mom in Her Kitchen

Ingredients:

1/2 lb chicken tenders (NuVal score: 35)

1 medium onion, chopped (NuVal score: 93)

garlic (NuVal score: 91)

4 cups coarsely chopped broccoli rabe (NuVal score: 100)

1 1/2 cups drained cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) (NuVal score of 58for Progresso – among the highest for cannellini beans)

1 small can chick peas (drained and rinsed) (Mom’s brand of Hanover gets a 72; Goya Chick Peas get an 88)

2 cups nonfat/low sodium vegetable broth (not yet scored)

1 tomato, seeded and diced (NuVal score: 96)

6 ounces uncooked pasta, cooked al dente (Mom used Dreamfields which gets a NuVal score of 87)

1. Lightly spray a large nonstick saucepan with cooking spray.  Brown chicken tenders, then remove to a separate dish.  Add onion into saucepan and saute until soft, add garlic, stir until garlic is softened (about 5 minutes).
2. Add broccoli rabe; cook 2-3 minutes.  Add diced tomato and beans.  Stir until softened.  Add broth; bring to a low boil.  Reduce heat, simmer about 5 minutes.  Add cooked chicken and pasta.  Cook on low until flavors blend. 
3. Let stand several minutes before serving.

This recipe serves two, with leftovers.  It can be adjusted for larger crowds.

Yum, that looks delicious!

My mom created this recipe especially for my Dad, who was diagnosed with Diabetes last year.  (Like I said, she is always doing nice things for people!)  Mom says that whenever my Dad eats chick peas, his glucose level is better the following morning.  Chick peas are an amazing little legume!!

I am off to celebrate my big day.  I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Posted by: Melissa 13 comments

Posted in: chick peas, Dinner Recipes, Dreamfield's

Tags: chick peas, Chicken, Dreamfield's, My Mom