Let’s make soup! Enjoy a warm, tasty meal on a cold day – and save energy

Making a comfort meal while giving your stove and/or oven the day off is a nice thing to do this time of year. A slow cooker lets you do just that, plus it uses less energy. Here’s a recipe that not only hits the spot on a cold winter day but is also more energy efficient. How’s that for a great pair?

Ingredients

• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 lb. pinto beans, rinsed
• 1 ham hock
• 8 cups water
• 1.5 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

Directions

Place chopped carrots and onions in bottom of slow cooker. Add beans, ham hock, water, salt and pepper. Cook on high 8–10 hours. Fill bowl and enjoy! Makes about 6 servings.

Per Serving

• 114 calories
• 7.3 g protein
• 18.4 g carbohydrates
• 1.6 g fat
• 7.6 g cholesterol
• 881 mg sodium