Description
A thick, hearty black bean soup, deeply flavored with cumin and a touch of cayenne. Finished with a zesty lime-cilantro cream, it’s a comforting and robust meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 tablespoons (44ml) oil
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 4 to 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 small to medium bell pepper diced
- 1 carrot (finely diced)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) freshly ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) red cayenne pepper
- 3 tomatoes (diced (can be subbed with 1/2 can or jarred tomato with juices))
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
- 3/4 cup (177ml) of dried black beans (soaked for about 4 hours,see note)
- 4 cups (946ml) of water
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) sour cream or yogurt
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lime juice
- 1 medium sized carrot (minced)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) chopped cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) red cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and diced carrot. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in the cumin and cayenne pepper. Add the diced tomatoes, cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Cook for 2 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Add the soaked black beans and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook partially covered for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are completely tender. Add more water if the soup gets too thick.
- Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup — blend about half for a thick, chunky texture. Season with salt and pepper.
- For the lime-cilantro cream: stir together the sour cream or yogurt, lime juice, minced carrot, chopped cilantro, and cayenne pepper.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a generous spoonful of the lime-cilantro cream.
Notes
For a vegan version, use vegan sour cream. Cooking the beans in a pressure cooker can reduce the cooking time significantly. The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 15 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg