Health a' Plenty
by Kimberly Experian

The purpose of my column is to introduce you to delicious and nutritious meat and dairy free meals.  I joined the Wellness Foundation in Montauk and learned that a lifestyle free of all animal products can help stop and reverse heart disease, help fight and prevent cancer, have enormous environmental benefits and stop the suffering of billions of animals per year.

 You can find other meat and dairy free meals online or check out Sarah Kramer’s Cookbooks.  She rocks!  If you would like to learn more about the benefits of an animal free lifestyle check out the China Study by Dr. Campbell or purchase the DVD “Eating” and the RAVE diet available online.  I hope you enjoy this recipe that has been in my family for years.  It was originally made with lamb, but as we all know eating lamb is b-a-a-a-a-a-d!  Enjoy!

Armenian Fassoulia Over Rice Pilaf (String Bean Stew Over Rice)

String Bean Stew:
1-1/2 lbs. fresh string beans
1 white onion chopped
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
Juice of two fresh lemons
1/2 cup water
1/2 tbsp. oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Rice Pilaf:
1 cup long grain white or brown rice
1/2 cup vermicelli broken up
1/8 lb. soy butter
2 cups salted veggie broth

Fassoulia: In a pot cook onions on a low flame until translucent. Add the string beans, whole tomatoes (crushed), tomato paste, lemon juice, water, oregano, salt and pepper.  Cover pot and simmer on low until beans are tender, approximately 20 minutes. Watch the water:  you may have to add a little during cooking time.

Rice Pilaf: Melt the butter in a shallow pan.  Break up vermicelli into pieces and fry in the soy butter until slightly browned, stirring constantly.  Add the rice and saute for a few minutes on low heat.  Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.  If using brown rice follow cooking time directions.