Bridges to Campus

Pantry Pizza Chili

This recipe is a good way to use up some of those canned beans in way that will please lots of people, including kids!

4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (green or red), seeded and diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp oregano or Italian seasoning
• 1 jar salsa (16 oz)
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz) (or other pasta sauce)
• 2 cans of beans (16 oz each), drained and rinsed (pinto beans, white beans, kidney beans or black beans work best)

Directions:

1. Line a soup pot with about 1/4 cup of water and heat to bubbling.
2. Add onions and peppers and saute until just soft.
3. Add garlic, chili powder, Italian seasoning. Coat veggies and cook for another one minute or two.
4. Add salsa and marinara.
5. Fill empty marinara jar with water and add to the pot.  
6. Add beans.
7. Add more water if too thick.
8. Cover and bring to a boil.
9. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.

Optional:

• Add crackers
• Add cheese to sprinkle on top
• Add other pizza toppings (sliced olives, mushrooms, etc.) to sprinkle on top
• To make a bigger meal, serve chili over a baked potato

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

This is a great snack on busy days or between classes!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

Directions:

1. Blend together peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Pour in oats and mix until well.
3. Refrigerate for 1 hour and roll into one-inch balls.
4. Put into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks 

Blackened Tuna Patties

This recipe is from the ISU Extension

Ingredients:

• 1 can (5 ounces) tuna, drained
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 cup sliced veggies (like carrots, peppers, or zucchini)
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs or dry day old bread
• 2 tbsp light ranch dressing

Directions:

1. Beat egg.
2. In a large bowl stir all ingredients together.
3. Wash hands.
4. Form 4 patties. Each patty about 1/3” thick and 3” wide.
5. Heat a skillet to medium.
6. Spray the pan with cooking spray when hot.
7. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes.
8. Turn over for 2-3 minutes more.
9. Cook until patties are browned. 

Black Bean Salsa

6 servings

Want to be fancy?  Call this "Cowboy Caviar"

Ingredients:

• 1 can of black beans (16 oz), drained and rinsed 
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 jar of salsa
• 6 whole wheat tortillas or a bag of tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Drain canned beans and corn.
2. In a large bowl mix with salsa.
3. Serve on tortillas or with chips.