Black Bean Soup
Winner of the Peapod Pantry Recipe of the Month Contest, December 1997
4 cans black
beans (or 1 lb. dry black beans,
soaked overnight in water to cover)
2 teaspoon salt if
using dry beans-none needed for canned beans
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 medium onions,
chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small can chopped
green chilies
2 roasted red peppers*, seeded and
chopped
1 medium can tomatoes
(about 15 oz)
1 teaspoon crushed
marjoram
1 teaspoon oregano
cayenne
pepper (optional, to taste)
for toppings: cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, salsa
1. If
using dry beans, rinse, cover again with fresh water, add 2 teaspoons salt and
cook until tender, about 2 hours. Sautee chopped onion and garlic
in olive oil about 5 minutes. Combine cooked beans and their cooking water (or
canned) with onions, green chilies, roasted red peppers, canned tomatoes and
their juice, and spices. Simmer on low for about an hour until flavors
are blended.
2. Puree
the soup and return to pot to cook on low until desired thickness. This
soup can also be made in the crock pot. Cook combined soup ingredients on
high with lid slightly ajar for about an hour. Puree and return to crock
pot on high with lid off to thicken.
3. Serve
with desired toppings. Leftovers can be used in burritos.
* Roasted red peppers can usually be found in jars at the grocery, or they are
easy to make. Just take a fresh red pepper, lay it on the grill, or the
gas burner of your range, or under the broiler. Let the skin char, turning it
so it becomes black all over. This takes about five minutes. Place
in a bowl to cool, scrape off charred skin, cut open and remove seeds and
membranes. Use in soups, pasta dishes or on subs.