Did someone say soup???

It’s still chilli out side (no pun intended) , and will be for some time. The other day I was talking to my Mom on the the phone. And she mentioned that that she had black bean soup the other day and it was quite delicious. She wanted to know if I had a recipe, of course I do!!!! Let me search my file…it’s between my ears you know? I have a couple of choices so get your printer warmed up and your soup pot ready..

Black Bean and Salsa Soup (vegeheads) no meat
(this is so easy for a quick last minute dinner)


INGREDIENTS:
· 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
· 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
· 1 cup chunky salsa
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 4 tablespoons sour cream
· 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion ( or chives or een diced white onion)

DIRECTIONS:
1. In an electric food processor or blender, combine beans, broth salsa and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.
2. Heat the bean mixture in a medium saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated. To serve, ladle soup into 4 individual bowls and top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of the sour cream, and 1/2 teaspoon green onion.

Black BeanMeaty 'Cuban

INGREDIENTS:
· 2 cans black beans
· 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch strips
· 4 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage, or spicy
· 4 bay leaves
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 2 onions, chopped
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 tablespoon sherry or dry red wine, or white
· 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large pot over med heat, combine the beans, chicken, sausage, bay leaves, cumin, onion, garlic and sherry. Add enough water to cover all ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. . Add tomato paste to soup and stir until dissolved. Salt and pepper to tasteCover and simmer .about 30 min. salt always at the end!!! it reduces and may become to salty.


Black Bean Vegetable Soup with bacon

Half of the black beans in this spicy soup are pureed with tomatoes, the other half are simmered with carrots, onion and kernels of corn." Original recipe yield: 6 - 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
· 1 onion, chopped
2-3 slices of bacon chopped, or a ham bone
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· 2 carrots, chopped
· 2 teaspoons chili powder
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 4 cups vegetable stock ( or chicken stock)
· 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
· 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn
· 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
· 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
DIRECTIONS:
1.In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook bacon, onion, garlic, and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add stock, 1 can of the beans, corn, and pepper; bring to boil.
2. Meanwhile, in food processor or blender, puree together tomatoes and remaining can of beans; add to pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.

So try them out...the recipes are so easy a yummy, you won't be disappointed. It winter so warm yourself and your family with a hot bowl of soup. I think up and coming days I talk about the traditions of soup and high light a few of my favorite soup recipes as we wonder through our winter wonder land. And yes it's been cold here in jax...Karen, joe, and greg have a had to scrape the ice off there windshields quite a few times this year already. Well that's all I know..until next time...