Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is a hearty and delicious dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in. It’s made with black beans, vegetables, spices, and broth, and is easy to prepare. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried black beans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sour cream and chopped cilantro, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the black beans in cold water, and soak them overnight in a large pot of water.
2. Drain and rinse the beans, and return them to the pot.
3. Add enough water to cover the beans by about an inch.
4. Bring the beans to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low.
5. Simmer the beans for 1-2 hours, or until they are tender.
6. In a separate large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
7. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, and diced jalapeno pepper to the pot, and sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Add the chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot, and stir to combine.
9. Pour the broth into the pot, and bring the soup to a boil.
10. Add the cooked black beans to the pot, and simmer the soup for 15-20 minutes, or until the flavors have melded together.
11. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until it’s smooth and creamy.
12. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Heat the soup over low heat until it’s heated through.
14. Serve the soup hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro if desired.

This black bean soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s easy to customize with your favorite spices and toppings. You can serve it as a starter or pair it with a salad or crusty bread for a more substantial meal. Enjoy!