Hearty Black Bean Soup 🌱🍲

Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this black bean soup is a comforting dish that's perfect for chilly evenings or any gathering. It's packed with protein and fiber, making it both satisfying and nutritious! Serve it over rice for a complete meal, or enjoy it solo with a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top! 🌿✨

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 lb black beans
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 2 qt water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3 medium onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 green peppers, cut into strips
• 1 tbsp salt
• Olive oil (for sautéing)

To Serve

• Cooked white rice
• Chopped onion (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep the Beans: Wash the black beans and soak them overnight in 2 quarts of water.

2. Cook the Beans: Pour the soaked beans into a large soup kettle with the same soaking water. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on medium heat.

3. Sauté the Vegetables: In a skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions and green peppers until they are light golden and fragrant.

   🍳 Sautéing the vegetables enhances their flavor, creating a delicious base for your soup!

4. Combine and Flavor: Add the sautéed vegetables to the boiling beans, then stir in the minced garlic, oregano, bay leaf, and cumin. Mix well.

5. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and continue to cook slowly until the beans are tender.

6. Serve: Ladle the soup over a bed of cooked white rice and top with freshly chopped onion for an extra crunch.

🌶️ For a spicy kick, feel free to add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the soup!

Variations

• Vegetarian/Vegan: This soup is naturally vegan, but you can enhance it by adding diced carrots or zucchini for extra vegetables! 🥕🥒
• Thicker Soup: For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup before serving, or mash some of the beans against the pot.
• Smoky Flavor: Add a smoked paprika or diced smoked sausage to the sautéing vegetables for a deeper flavor.
• Quick Version: If you're short on time, use canned black beans. Reduce the cooking time to about 20 minutes, just to blend the flavors.

Enjoy your delicious homemade black bean soup! 🌟🍲