One-Pot Wonders

Black Bean Soup

December 31, 2010
0
0 Ratings
  • Prep time 20 minutes
  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Tonight's dinner was supposed to be a Black Bean Soup that I read about on the Eats Well With Others blog at http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/. That plan quickly fell apart because a) there was no mango juice to be had in this entire snow-struck town, and b) I realized that the recipe called for four ingredients that at least one member of my family won't go near (cooked peppers, cooked tomatoes, cilantro, and cloves). SIGH. I'll eat just about anything. But there are some picky eaters in my household.

The beans were soaking away happily so there was no turning back. (Not that I wanted to, I was pretty excited about the hearty bean soup thing, especially after braving the cold to find mango juice.) So I decided to create my own version. It turned out really good. If you care to check out the original recipe on Eats Well With Others at http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/, you'll see lots of similarities (and MUCH prettier photos; mine just didn't come out very good). Thanks for the inspiration, Joanne. —Ordinary Blogger (Rivki Locker)

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Ingredients
  • 1 cup dry black beans, soaked overnight in cold water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
  • yogurt or sour cream (optional) for serving
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
Directions
  1. Drain the beans and place in a medium stockpot covered with water. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for about two hours until tender. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large frying pan or shallow pot, heat the oil and then saute the onion and carrot until softened, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the cumin and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes. Add the orange juice to the pan and cook uncovered on medium-low heat for 15 minutes longer.
  3. Pour the onion mixture into the stockpot with the cooked beans. Add enough water to cover the beans (it will be around three cups), plus the salt and cayenne. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook on low heat for about 1/2 hour, checking the water level occasionally. (Add more if needed.)
  4. Remove the pot from the heat and use an immersion blender or food processor to blend the soup until smooth. Keep warm over low heat if needed.
  5. Right before serving, stir in the lime juice. Serve hot, garnished with yogurt or sour cream if desired.

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8 Reviews

jansu October 27, 2019
I am in the process of making it- looks amazing! I noticed that salt was left off the ingredient list.
Ordinary B. October 27, 2019
Thanks for letting me know. Two teaspoons. Sorry about that!
Sandra July 10, 2013
What is it supposed to look like before it goes into the food processor? I'm afraid mine is too watery.
Ordinary B. July 10, 2013
Hi Sandra. I like my soup pretty thick so mine is not very watery. It should be mostly beans with just a bit of liquid. Let me know how yours turns out.
Sandra July 21, 2013
It turned out great! We're making it again. :)
Ordinary B. July 21, 2013
Great! Thanks for letting me know.
Sagegreen January 2, 2011
This looks really good. I am making two black bean soup versions today both with short ribs and orange, one kosher and the other with lots of sausage. Photos later.
Ordinary B. January 2, 2011
Good luck! I hope you enter them in the short ribs contest. That Le Creuset pot has me drooling.