Pasta Rapido

Ingredients

• 1/4 to 1/2 c. olive oil
• garlic
• 3 Serrano peppers
• vegetables of your choice
• 3/4 lb. pasta (any shape but noodles tend to be hard to mix with vegetables)
• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese or more if you like
• 1 c. (about 6 oz.) lentils, with skins or decorticated
• 1 c. pearl barley
• 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 1/2 c. minced fresh mint
• 1/4 c. whole blanched almonds
• 1 c. low-fat plain yogurt (optional)
• Black Beans (recipe follows)
• 12 flour tortillas (each about 8 inches in diameter)
• 1 head romaine lettuce (about 1 lb.), cut into shreds
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
• 6 green onions (including tops), thinly sliced
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil or salad oil
• 1/4 c. shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 c. nonfat plain yogurt